THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1947
ISSUE NO. 760 FRIDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2012 VARSITY.CO.UK
CLAIRE COTTERIL Cambridge News: Varsity talks to 08 Julian Huppert, MP for Cambridge puts itself up for sale Overwhelming demand from investors News: Why do so for University’s first bond issue 07 few girls choose science subjects? GRISHMA SHANBHAG framework under the Higher Education NEWS REPORTER Funding Council for England has also been commended. For the fi rst time since its inception e stable outlook refl ects the impor- in 1209, Cambridge University has tance of the institution to the national decided to tap the public bond market economy and limited reliance on gov- instead of the pockets of wealthy ben- ernment funding compared to its peers. efactors to fund its latest development In amusing contrast the UK itself is plans. rated Aaa with a negative outlook, sig- On Wednesday the University nalling Moody’s inclination to lower its announced its £350 million issue of rating. Interview: Princess Basma 40-year bonds. Net proceeds will Commenting on the interest be applied towards research facili- garnered, Professor Sir Leszek Borysie- 08 Bint Saud on reform for ties, accommodation and other assets wicz, Vice-Chancellor of the University women’s rights including a potential site in northwest of Cambridge, said: “we are delighted Cambridge with 1,500 housing units by the success of this issue, and by the and 100,000 square metres of research strong support shown by investors in space. the University and its mission. e e University has had to turn away proceeds will enable us to continue to many potential investors after receiving invest in teaching and research at the a surplus of off ers totalling over £1.5bn highest international levels.” on Tuesday. e issuance marks a shift from the e 40-year term to maturity will University’s traditional reliance on enable the University to tap into the philanthropy as a source of income. longer investment horizons aff orded by Launched in 2005 as “the most ambi- insurance and pensions funds, who in tious educational fundraising initiative Fashion: Tom Rasmussen particular have shown a growing inter- in Europe”, the Cambridge 800th Anni- est to invest in national universities. versary Campaign raised an astounding 28 gets the custard out Moody’s assignment of the top Aaa £1.2 billion. However, the recent sharp for this week’s shoot (stable outlook) rating to the bonds last fall in average yields on corporate debt week has fuelled demand from investors caused by worldwide central bank seeking to invest in top-rated securi- activity has provided an opportune ties off ering a premium over sovereign environment for the University to make paper. e rating is said to be indicative its bond market debut. of the university’s “outstanding market Despite the rise in the tuition fees cap position, signifi cant amount of liquid from £3,375 to £9,000, direct subsidies assets and strong governance structure”. for facility upgrades have been reduced Cambridge’s strong cash fl ows and under the higher education reforms stable revenues from its printing and and banks are increasingly reluctant assessment businesses, fund research to engage in long term lending. Capital facilities and endowments have enabled markets off er an alternative for institu- Sport: Hockey heartbreak it to fund capital projects without debt tions wishing to secure certainty over so far, and the central institution com- their long-term fi nancing and reduce Cambridge University Press in legal 30 after own-goal mishap: mands around £2.6bn in net assets. e their reliance on taxpayers amid public almost a golden fortnight University’s highly transparent govern- sector budget cuts. battle with University of Delhi p.11 ance structure and strong regulatory Continued on page 4
Galloway plans Is the stress Richard II meets What the EBAC Changing Spaces: to sue NUS worth it? Vladimir Putin misses out our creative city
News, p.11 Features, p.14 eatre, p.26 Comment, p.13 Magazine, p.20 Editor: Charlotte Keith 2 EDITORIAL OCTOBER 12 2012 Want to write for Varsity? Say hello: [email protected] Inside the paper... EDITORIAL e University of Cambridge college funds, often for specifi c, if Some people dressed as sharks, some photos to make you fall in love with Cambridge DIGITAL CONTENTS – deferentially capitalised eccentric, purposes. Money is at again, and some to make you yearn to be elsewhere. If you take enough copies of this throughout the paper, a once plentiful and – perpetually, Online: newspaper from your plodge, they could aslo serve as a doorstep or improptu stool. convention dating back to who it seems – in short supply. You might as well read it fi rst, though. knows when – is a complicated at Cambridge is currently Hopefully the Daily Distraction beast. Its innermost workings in a strong enough fi nancial are frequently baffl ing. Given position to issue bonds is hasn’t ruined anyone’s work NEWS schedule too much (yet). Look online the nation’s current economic undoubtedly a good thing. All for such gems as ‘Downton for situation, it’s certainly reassuring the more so if this means a more Dummies’, not one but TWO pieces Fin free Cambridge 11 to see that the University is – at secure future for University in defence of One Direction. Also a least in some ways – doing very funding. But no matter how lovely video of Laurie & Fry doing Find out why some diehard protestors took to the Guildhall in well fi nancially. A better credit good the University’s credit what they do best. Email shark costumes. No, really. rating than France, the new rating, it should never forget that [email protected] to join this sixteen million pound Sports its responsibilities to students Centre, the West Cambridge and academics must come motley crew. development – and now, the fi rst. American universities like COMMENT issuing of bonds. Harvard and Princeton, who have VarsiTV: What students want to know, been issuing bonds for years, 12 though, is how this will aff ect have been criticised for operating If you’re interested in getting Move over, Adele them: if the University is so more like corporations than involved with VarsiTV this term, Oli icknesse lays into the soulful songstress, confessing his fi nancially stable, then why are educational institutions; there is please email [email protected]. A preference for – don’t hate him – one Lana Del Rey. one-to-one supervisions under a real danger that the business meeting will be arranged shortly. threat from funding cuts? Why side of things dominates. at the do some colleges have such University needs a lot of funding Abroad: bad food and charge such high is obvious, but where – and who FEATURES rent? But then also off er you – that money comes from is still a If you know someone on their amazing travel grants? And vital consideration. year abroad who might have 18 why the nine thousand pounds? is is fundamentally a place of interesting things to say...tell them Working on the e reason for the apparent learning. Cambridge University to get in touch with Emily Fitzell on discrepancy is, of course, to do Press might do well to remember [email protected]. Or just Obama campaign with the relationship between that in their dealings with the back and want to write about your Phelim Brady shares his experiences canvasing for the University and the colleges. University of Delhi. time away? Get in touch. the President in Virginia this summer. ere are ludicrous sums of money fl oating around – but Charlotte Keith MAGAZINE often squirreled away in obscure Editor, Michaelmas 2012 THE TEAM Editor Charlotte Keith [email protected] e branded writer 21 Business Manager Michael Derringer Alice Boughton likes reading. She doesn’t, however, much care to Apologies to Lizzie Marx, whose illus- Additionally, the lead comment piece [email protected] know what her favourite writers eat for breakfast. trations were not fully credited in the ‘Business as usual for the Oxbridge-bash- Design Editor Craig Slade last issue, and also to June Tong, who ers’ was written by Jonathan Booth, who [email protected] took the photo for the lovely magazine was miscredited. Also: sorry Fred. Really. News Editors Alice Udale-Smith & cover. Patrick O’Grady [email protected] Comment Aliya Ram cipitous fall in the UK’s productivity [email protected] Letters to the fi gures. It is not the result of a recovery. Features Editors Salome Wagaine & As for an alternative plan, I argue Sam Hunt Editor for it explicitly throughout the above [email protected] Regurgitated bollocks article - counter cyclical economic Magazine Editors Rory Williamson & stimulus to prevent our economy fl at Missed the Zoe Large Simplistic liberal drivel, and factually lining due to low demand. [email protected] wrong at every point. I wish the gov- I can, if you like, explain some Reviews Editor Dominic Kelly & Ella ernment were spending less; neverthe- fundamentals that you appear to have squash but still Griffi ths less, private jobs are mopping up lost missed. We’ll begin with the diff erence [email protected] public sector ones, and unemployment between household and public debt. Visual Art Editor Naomi Pallas is falling. Poor little James Counsell is Let me know if this is something you [email protected] also unable to distinguish debt from think you can keep up with and we’ll want to write? Theatre Editor Fred Maynard defi cit and obviously, like the loath- begin. Many thanks to everyone who came to our [email protected] some Balls himself, off ers no alter- Fashion Editor Tom Rasmussen J C native. Indeed, the loathsome Balls Freshers’ Squash on Monday; there have (prob- [email protected] Sport Editor Katie Bartholomew himself has already conceded that he Apocalypse Bear: get it right ably) never been that many people in the Varsity [email protected] would carry on the baby-eating tory offi ces before. Podcasts Editor Fred Wagner fi scal policy if elected. In short, poor Your version of Teddy Bear history is [email protected] little James Counsell is writing tired, totally garbled. President Roosevelt re- International Editor Emily Fitzell regurgitated bollocks which we have fused to shoot a captured bear in 1902 If you weren’t able to make it but would still like [email protected] all heard a thousand times before and and Cliff ord Berryman drew a cartoon Business & Advertising Associate not even the loathsome Balls himself of the event. Coincidentally in 1903 to get involved – or if you’ve been on our mailing Steiff introduced a plush jointed mo- Tristan Dunn believes. lists since your fi rst term but ignored most if not [email protected] hair bear. But it only became popular C R ( . in 1906 based on a series of stories in all of the emails – there are still plenty of oppor- Design Charlotte Keith & Craig Slade .), J Sub Editors Tom Freeman & Matt 20 newspapers by Seymour Eaton fea- C’ - turing Teddy B and Teddy G Roosevelt, tunities to write, blog, illustrate, and take photos. Cullen ’ based on a 1905 hunting trip by TR. Varsity Board: Later in 1906 the term “Teddy Bears” Dr Michael Franklin (Chair), Please get in touch with the relevant section edi- Loathsome balls aside... was fi rst applied to the jointed bears. Prof. Peter Robinson, Dr Tim Harris, By then, T.R. was well into his second Chris Wright, Michael Derringer, tor (see the team list on the lefthand side of this Charles, your fascination with term. NO spin involved. Madeleine Morley [Varsity Society C M, D I- page) to register your interest and pitch ideas. President], Tristan Dunn, loathsome balls aside, your post is T, ( . & Charlotte Keith nonsensical. I explicitly distinguish What would you like to see in the paper? What between the debt and the defi cit - the .) do you want to write about? Let us know.
NEWSPAPERS Varsity, Old Examination Hall, Free failure to eliminate the defi cit, as SUPPORT School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RF. Herarldry is great fun, promise RECYCLING planned, will lead to an increase in the Recycled paper made Tel 01223 337575. Fax 01223 up 78.9% of the raw material for UK 760949. Varsity is published by debt. I hoped that this elementary dis- You can also fi nd us on Facebook and Twitter. newspapers in 2011 NEWSPAPERS SUPPORT Varsity Publications Ltd. e Cambridge Heraldic and Genea- RECYCLING tinction would be easy to grasp. Unem- Varsity Publications also publishes BlueSci and The Mays. logical Society was huge fun in my days ©2012 Varsity Publications Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of ployment is falling as a consequence of as an undergraduate, and Go really is this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical a rise in low paid, part time work - this better than chess. photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of is a result of fi rms hoarding labour, a the publisher. Printed at Iliffe Print Cambridge — Winship Road, A W-S, (- Milton, Cambridge CB24 6PP on 42.5gsm newsprint. Registered phenomena that is revealed in the pre- ..) as a newspaper at the Post Offi ce. ISSN 1758-4442 Perella Weinberg Partners provides independent investment banking advice and asset management services to leading companies and investors around the world.
We are currently recruiting for summer internship and analyst opportunities in our investment banking team in London, and would like to hear from penultimate and final-year students seeking a rewarding career in an intellectually challenging and collegiate environment.
To find out more, join us for drinks at The River Bar, Quayside (off Bridge St.) at 7pm on Thursday 25th October.
Candidates wishing to apply for an opportunity should submit their application via our careers website https://internationalcareers-pwpartners.icims.com
London New York San Francisco Abu Dhabi Beijing www.pwpartners.com
WHERE TO FIND US PEOPLE. PASSION. RESULTS. CASE STUDY WORKSHOP Sidgewick Hall, Newnham College Thursday, October 18 • 12.00–14.00 and 14.30–16.30 BAIN DNA: FIND OUT WHAT MAKES BAIN WHAT IS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING? BAIN HIGHLIGHT? I recently built a A UNIQUE PLACE TO WORK WHAT DO CONSULTANTS DO? model on customer satisfaction which The Hicks Room, University Centre AND WOULD YOU LIKE IT? delivered insights that our client was Angus joined Bain in March 2012, eight months not expecting. This ultimately led them Monday, October 22 • 19.00–21.00 after graduating from Magdalene in PPS. While at to change their customer proposition. WOMEN’S EVENT: IS STRATEGY Cambridge, Angus won a Rugby League Half Blue On a personal level it was great to see my CONSULTING FOR YOU and was closely involved with Magdalene’s Access insights being presented to the CEO, but AND HOW TO APPLY SUCCESSFULLY programme. Angus spent his first four months at more importantly, we delivered results to the Bateman Auditorium, Gonville and Caius College Bain working in the Oil & Gas industry and has client to set them up Thursday, October 25 • 16.00–18.00 since worked in Financial Services in Edinburgh. future success. CASE STUDY WORKSHOP Lecture Theatre and Terrace Room, Trinity Hall Tuesday, October 30 • 12.00–14.00 and 14.30–16.30 BAIN AND COMPANY PRESENTATION Come along and meet us! Howard Theatre, Downing College Tuesday, October 30 • 19.00–21.00
WHY BAIN? The people. Everyone says it, A FINAL THOUGHT? What you study We would be delighted to meet you at any of our but the people really do differentiate Bain. doesn’t matter. During the application events. Please pre-register via the Cambridge Everyone is smart and driven, but they’re also process I worried that an arts background University page of our website approachable, encouraging and eager to lend a might hold me back. Not at all; Bain hires hand. It’s a great place to work, and I’ve already people from all degree subjects. In fact, WWW.JOINBAIN.COM made many good friends. it’s often an advantage to be able to bring something new to the table! News editors: Alice Udale-Smith & Patrick O’Grady 4 news OctOber 12 2012 Good story? Get in touch: [email protected] Cambridge falls to 7th plaCe Cambridge Cambridge Cambridge has dropped to seventh place in the latest Times Higher Education rankings, which CUSU ranks sixth from makes £350 list the world’s best universities, released earlier this week. The uni- versity fell from last year’s sixth million bond place, now appearing five places bottom in student survey below rival Oxford, ranked joint second (up from fourth last year). market debut The California Institute of Tech- Adam Clark for students in the absence of a block their own JCR to provide student serv- Continued from page 1 nology, which maintains a student News RepoRteR grant from the University. ices, it is unsurprising that CUSU get While access to debt capital markets exchange programme with Cam- The results contrasted poorly against a bad press because the nature of their is common for leading US universi- bridge, came first in the new table. The Cambridge University Students’ a 92% satisfaction rate with students’ activities at the very least appears not to ties such as Stanford and Columbia, The new survey raises the question Union has one of the worst satisfac- courses at Cambridge. This was the be directly relevant to student life.” the concept of using an institution’s of whether British universities can tion ratings of any student union in the first year that satisfaction with student The role of the JCR was also seen to reputation and research as collateral keep up with international rivals in country according to the results of the unions has been asked by the National is a new one in Europe. De Montford terms of investment. Last year Cam- annual National Student Survey. Student Survey and the results were ‘The National Student University was the first UK Univer- bridge’s University Council opted to Only 46% of finalists surveyed said generally underwhelming. Survey has been sity to make a bond offer in ten years,. apply a 2% funding cut to many aca- they were satisfied with CUSU, ranking The University of Sheffield’s Student Lancaster University previously issued demic programmes, as well as taking it sixth from bottom in the survey. Even Union performed best, with a 95% sat- criticised as being £35m worth of bonds in 1995, whilst other steps to reduce costs, citing further down the rankings was Oxford isfaction rate, but it was the exception Imperial took the alternative route of the “challenging economic environ- University Students’ Union, in joint last as on average only 66% of students were unrepresentative of the “private placement” agreements with ment”. The Council noted that the place in the country with a satisfaction satisfied with their student union. A Cambridge experience’ investors. government’s new higher education rate of 39%. further 24% were ambivalent. The recent success of De Montford settlement, along with the continu- Rosalyn Old, CUSU President, Gerard Tully, former President of be important by a second year at Down- and now Cambridge will undoubtedly ing adverse effects of the downturn, released a statement welcoming “the CUSU, argued in the Guardian that stu- ing, who believes that “with all the JCRs spark interest from other universities had created a “gloomy outlook” exposure of our students’ union satis- dent unions at collegiate universities it is understandable that many see who have traditionally relied on bank across universities in the UK. faction score in the National Student were at a disadvantage in such surveys. CUSU as slightly superfluous to their borrowing to fund new buildings and Survey” and suggesting that students However, other unions with collegiate university experience. However, when equipment. sCientists disCover have an “inconclusive” view of student structures such as Durham (56%) and it comes to procedures such as Access, However, it must be noted that in “supermassive union services due to the provision of York (61%) outperformed CUSU. CUSU comes into it’s own.” issuing corporate debt, universities blaCk holes” The results are likely to again raise However, a second year at Church- must be prepared to face the attendant ‘The results doubts as to CUSU’s ability to commu- ill stressed the unique Cambridge risks as demonstrated by their Ameri- Cambridge Using the UK Infrared nicate its role to students, a key factor in lifestyle: “I’m not at all surprised by can counterparts. The downgrades of Telescope based in Hawaii, a Cam- were generally the decision of Corpus Christi’s JCR to this result. In a university as hectic as the University of Cincinnati and Rens- bridge-led survey has managed to underwhelming’ disaffiliate from CUSU two years ago. Cambridge, with deadlines, displeased selaer Polytechnic Institute following find previously unseen black holes. The National Student Survey has DOSs and not a lot of respite, CUSU misjudged levels of borrowing a few This collection of black holes had services via college common rooms. been criticised as being unrepresenta- can only foster a weak relationship with years ago highlight the necessity to been previously unobservable as The statement said “CUSU have tive of the Cambridge experience and students. It can’t hope to achieve a high ensure that borrowing does not out- they were surrounded by dust. long campaigned to the University for CUSU has previously boycotted the level of satisfaction if it doesn’t play as pace revenue and resource growth. Dr Manda Banerji, lead author a better social space and greater fund- survey. Since the publication of the significant a role in students’ lives as at The bonds were priced at 60 basis of the paper published by the Royal ing to improve our services; to help survey results, CUSU has launched other universities.” points over gilts and will be formally Astronomical Society, explained us communicate and involve more its own student survey in an attempt The results of the National Students issued on October 17th. HSBC, Morgan that “Although these black holes students; and to employ more staff to to gauge awareness and understanding Survey are accessible for the first time Stanley and The Royal Bank of Scot- have been studied for some time, the support and resource our active student of CUSU’s activities. A third year from via the website Unistats, although they land acted as joint bookrunners with new results indicate that some of the groups”. However, it defended CUSU’s Downing told Varsity that “since Cam- are not presented in a league table Rothschild providing independent debt most massive ones may have so far record on issues of Access and support bridge is collegiate and colleges have format. advice. been hidden from our view.”One of the supermassive black holes, situ- ated 11 billion light years away, is thought to have a mass 10 billion times that of our Sun. Although supermassive black So, how many condoms £3000 video to combat holes are the largest type of galac- tic black holes by mass, they are less does a Cambridge student? student drinking culture dense then their smaller cousins and their origins are still unknown. This newly found population allows scien- Ainslie Johnstone Alice Twomey who arrive at the A&E department of tists to be able to further investigate News RepoRteR News RepoRteR Addenbrooke’s hospital after 12 o’clock the relationship between supermas- are there because of drinking related sive black holes and galaxies. An all new CUSU scheme will allow all A short film has been made which problems whilst Chief Inspector Neil Cambridge students to register for a offers advice to students on how to Sloan discusses the link between binge prinCe andrew given C-Card, a small plastic card attached to stay safe on nights out and warns of drinking and anti social behaviour and tour of ‘siliCon fen’ a key-ring, which can be used to pick up the dangers of drinking too much. The warns how, “one moment’s madness a free pack of 6 condoms and a sachet film, which is primarily aimed at inter- can be a change of a person’s future as Cambridge A meeting was held on of lube. The service is available at var- national students who might not be they end up, potentially, with a crimi- Tuesday by some of the biggest ious points around the city including familiar with British drinking culture, nal record.” names in the Cambridge technol- Superdrug on Sidney Street, Boots on was commissioned by a senior tutors’ The presenters of the film offer some ogy industry. The meeting coincided Petty Curry and many of the colleges. committee and is to be shown to new common sense advice on how to stay with a tour of the Cambridge tech- Each card can be used up to 10 times, students. The university developed safe on a night out: for instance, drink- nology sector by Prince Andrew at after which students can re-register for ing plenty of water, walking home in the headquarters of Abcam, a biotech another. ‘playing hard doesn’t a group and not carrying an excessive company based in the Cambridge Though many colleges already give of funds already spent on condoms necessssarily mean amount of cash. They also recommend Science Park. The Duke also visited away free condoms, it is hoped that the to create a fairer and more effective that students “ditch the gown and tux” Ubisense, the winner of two Queen’s new scheme will improve accessibility system, and does not involve any addi- drinking hard’ before heading out, to avoid standing Awards for Enterprise this year. The and anonymity. The scheme also prom- tional expenditure. out as an easy target. Duke, who until last year acted as ises to provide highly trained support Chris Page, CUSU welfare officer the film in conjunction with Cambac The manager of Cambac, Vicky the UK’s Special Representative for and information to students on sexual said, “In the few days of term we have - Cambridge Businesses Against Crime Hornsby, has welcomed the ini- International Trade and Investment, health issues. Though most colleges had so far I have received a positive - in an attempt to promote responsible also visited Ubisense, a geo-location include welfare talks in their Freshers’ response. Lots of students have signed drinking. ‘A great example of technology company and the winner program, many of these are presented up.” The students presenting the film of two Queen’s Awards for Enter- by untrained members of the college. Several colleges have not yet officially acknowledge that Cambridge has a a positive partnership prise earlier this year. To join the C-Card scheme students joined the scheme, but welfare officers drinking culture but insist that it is not must visit a registration site which can at these colleges said that this was only compulsory, saying, “There might be between Town and fitzwilliam thieves be viewed on the CUSU website. Regis- a temporary situation. Even Corpus rules and traditions but you don’t need Gown’ sentenCed tration consists of a short meeting with Christi students can get a C-Card if to join in unless you want to. Nobody’s a member of the trained C-Card team they want, as – despite being disaffili- going to think less of you if you don’t.” tiative and described the film as “a Cambridge Three of the four men about how to use the card, as well as ated from CUSU – individual students Many students at Cambridge colleges great example of a positive part- connected with the theft of Chinese advice on condoms and sexual health. can still use its services. Corpus Wom- adopt a “work hard, play hard” attitude, nership between Town and Gown.” jade artefacts have been sentenced With the potential for every stu- en’s Welfare Officer, Ingrid Hesselbo, one presenter says, “but it’s important However, the £3000 production costs, to six years in prison after pleading dent to use 60 condoms a week, there said that: “the system we run in Corpus to remember that playing hard doesn’t shared amongst participating colleges, guilty to conspiracy to burglary. The have been questions about whether provides all undergrads with access necessarily mean drinking hard.” have raised questions as to whether fourth burglar, Marvin Simos, 16, the scheme is a waste of money, which to free contraceptives already so this The film also contains advice from this was a worthwhile venture, par- has been sentenced to a four month duplicates services already on offer. means that we currently provide the an A&E doctor, a nightclub owner and ticularly as it seems to repeat obvious detention and training order. CUSU’s website, however, states that same service as that of the C-Card, or the police. Dr Adrian Boyle reveals in advice that most students will have the C-card scheme is a re-allocation indeed the old CUSU system.” the film that about 40% of the people heard before. Looking for a rewarding career? Meet UBS.
If you’re looking for a career that’ll continue to stretch you long after university, UBS is a great place to start. Come along to our speed networking event, where you can put your questions to UBS employees in a relaxed, enjoyable environment.
Places are limited, to register your interest please email your name, year of graduation, and course of study to [email protected]. We will then contact you directly to confirm your attendance. Places will be filled on a first come first served basis.
Date: Monday, October 22, 2012 Time: 18.30-20.30 Venue: Double Tree by Hilton, Granta Place, Mill Lane, CB2 1RT
UBS is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We respect and seek to empower each individual and the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences within our workforce.
We will not rest
© UBS 2012. All rights reserved. Is there any profit left in North American gas?*
How can we work more effectively as an executive team to make faster, better decisions?*
How can we adapt to keep pace with changing consumer behaviours in the weight management market?*
If you are interested in working with some of the world’s leading companies on their most important questions, then visit us at:
The Crown Plaza Hotel (25th Oct, 6.30pm)**
And apply at www.marakon.com/graduates by the 4th Nov * Questions we have helped clients answer in 2011/12; ** Please book via our website News Editors: Alice Udale-Smith & Patrick O’Grady Good story? Get in touch: [email protected] OctOber 12 2012 NEWS 7 Does ‘macho’ science culture put girls off? AThENE dONAld Emily Chan NEwS REPORTER ANALYSIS A large gender imbalance persists within the Sciences. The latest admis- Although it is Physics that has been sions statistics to be published show in the spotlight this week, there are that 33.4 per cent of successful under- several other STEM subjects where graduate applicants for science subjects the ratio of female to male students in the 2011 cycle were female, com- is even lower than in Physics. One pared to 37 per cent the previous year. of these is Computer Science, which The gap is most evident among engi- as a subject is still dominated by neers and computer scientists: only men. 19 per cent of Engineering applicants ANNE COPESTAkE were female, while just two women were accepted for Computer Science in the whole year. Around two in five applicants for Natural Sciences were female. The problems begin at school. Research by the Institute of Physics (IOP) published last week revealed that nearly half of all state schools in England did not have any girls sitting A recent video supported by the European Commission tried to encourage girls to study science; Professor Athene Donald, right, the A-level Physics last year. Overall, only University’s Gender Equality Champion: “Single-sex schools seem to manage to encourage more girls to take up science” 20 per cent of students taking the exam were girls. “Women are not applying to computer Professor Athene Donald, director THE fIgurES science departments” says Professor of the Women in Science, Engineering Ann Copestake and Technology Initiative (WiSETI), ●● 20 per cent of A-level Physics says: “The number of girls doing Phys- candidates were girls There’s a general problem ics A-level remains low, so they never of severe gender imbalance start on the ladder. I think we need to ●● Nearly half of all state schools in Computer Science in the look at schools, as to how they teach didn’t have any girls sitting A-level UK, US, Australia and most of boys and girls. Single-sex schools seem Physics Western Europe and there are a to manage to encourage more girls to ●● range of explanations for this. take up science.” Around one third of Cambridge The ratio of women has been The IOP report highlighted that girls science applicants were female going down quite steadily over who went to a single-sex school were ●● Only 2 female undergraduates the years, which is probably almost two and a half times more likely were accepted for computer not what one would expect if to continue studying physics at A-level science (for 2011) discrimination against women compared to girls at co-educational were a major factor. Women schools in the maintained sector. ●● 19 per cent of all engineering are not applying to Computer Stephanie Mennecier, a second-year applicants were female Science departments. Engineering student at Peterhouse, My personal view is that the went to an all-girls school: “I went to a ●● Across all subjects, only 12.3 per gender imbalance is (partially) school with a specialism in Engineer- cent of professors at Cambridge a reflection of the fact that ing, so science and technology were are women Computer Science is not well strongly encouraged, and a large major- Marie Curie won a Nobel Prize for Physics as long ago as 1903 but the numbers of understood as a subject. In ity of people would study at least one of women in Physics and other STEM subjects have remainded surprisingly low particular, few people realise Biology, Chemistry or Physics. In fact, quite how human-centered my sixth form had the largest all-girls influence on pupils’ aspirations. Pro- specialises in gender development, University. The Equality and Diversity much of Computer Science is. Maths department in the country.” fessor Brian Cox, presenter of Wonders agrees that the nature-nurture debate Information Report published in Janu- Besides human-computer Mennecier worked on the Victoria of the Solar System and Wonders of the is unhelpful, but argues: “Claims that ary showed that there are around 130 interaction, there is work on Station Upgrade project this summer Universe, has been praised for increas- irreversible brain differences caused by male professors in the School of Physi- modelling human behaviour and found that only around one in ten ing the popularity of science, but inborn factors cause women to be bad cal Sciences, compared to fewer than in various contexts (social of the engineers there were female: “I there is not yet a high-profile female at, or avoid, science are overblown. A 20 female professors. networks, security, image think that women have slightly different equivalent. complex array of factors causes gender In Biological Sciences, around two processing and computational skills to men and it would be beneficial There is a large body of research on differences in occupational choices, in nine professors are women. These linguistics, for example). So to having more of them in the industry. whether innate differences between the beginning with factors that occur early numbers reflect the fact there are far some extent I see improving The best way to do this would prob- male and female brain leads to gender in development and are then built on fewer female professors within the the gender imbalance as part of ably be by getting kids more involved disparity in the sciences. In his 2004 across the lifespan.” University as a whole: figures from last more general outreach efforts. at school.” book The Essential Difference, Simon Hines suggests that “biases that work year show that only 12.3 per cent of But there is also a place for Baron-Cohen, Professor of Devlep- against women hinder their progress” professors are female. more specific initiatives aimed mental Psychopathology, argues that and adds that in her opinion, “society Cambridge’s Women in Science, at attracting more women the average male brain is more likely should decide if they want to change Engineering and Technology Initiative applicants. Trying to improve to be good at “systemising”, while the these discrepancies in occupational (WiSETI) aims to promote and sup- the ratio is a priority for me as average female brain is “hard-wired for choices and success.” port women from undergraduate up to a deputy head of department, of A-level physics students were girls 20% empathy”. A Yale University study published professorial level. The initiative organ- but I haven’t been in the role “In trying to understand sex differ- last month found an implicit gender ises seminars for researchers and offers very long, and I’m still trying to In June, the European Commission ences we shouldn’t neglect either social bias in the hiring of scientists. Faculty a mentoring scheme to help women work out what we might do most launched a campaign called ‘Science: or biological factors, since this was the members were asked to review a job progress in their careers. effectively. It’s A Girl Thing’ in order to encour- error of the past,” says Professor Baron- applicant, who was randomly given a In fact, I would be very happy age more girls to consider careers in Cohen. However, he points out that male or female name. The male can- to get comments from women science. However, an accompanying didate was rated more highly for in Cambridge who didn’t choose minute-long video that appeared on ‘Unconscious bias is very hireability and competence in compar- Computer Science as to what YouTube was branded “patronising”. ison to the identical female candidate, put them off. The advert was heavily criticised for common but overt sexism by both men and women in the science of University professors are women Computer technology has conforming to the very gender stereo- is probably rare’ faculty. They also agreed on a higher 12.3% affected our lives more radically types that it sought to challenge. Some starting salary for the male applicant. In 2006, the University was one of than any other technology in the people in fact thought the video was “I am sure unconscious bias is very the first in the UK to receive the Athena last 60 years or so. a joke, which led to the EC spokes- in America the average SAT score for common but overt sexism is prob- SWAN bronze award in recognition of Computer Science isn’t the man for science, Michael Jennings to mathematics have been consistently ably rare,” says Professor Donald. “The the work being done to increase the only academic subject that write on Twitter that the commission higher for male students over the last trouble with unconscious bias is that representation of women in science, relates to this, but it’s the most “doesn’t really do irony”. fifteen years, and emphasises that look- it is hard to overcome because it is engineering and technology. central. Diversity is essential for An Ofsted report on girls’ career ing at this type of statistical evidence invisible.” However, she believes that “One of the reasons it is so important the health of the subject as well aspirations published last year argued “might also help us to understand why the ‘macho’ culture within science is for a University such as ours to have as for equality. that setting up mentoring schemes in some neurodevelopmental conditions a problem: “Many women will cite people like myself as gender equality schools and bringing role models into such as autism often entail giftedness examples where men talk over them, champion speaking out, is that it con- Professor Ann Copestake is the the classroom were effective ways of in mathematics.” One suggestion made ignore them, or claim a woman’s idea stantly reminds people of the issues Deputy Head of the Computer overcoming gender stereotypes. The in the book is that people with autism as their own at committees.” and challenges,” says Donald. “Cam- Science department in Cambridge report also suggested that media rep- have an “extreme male brain”. There are significantly fewer female bridge is undoubtedly moving in the resentations of women had a strong Professor Melissa Hines, who than male science professors at the right direction.” News Editors: Alice Udale-Smith & Patrick O’Grady 8 news OctOber 12 2012 Good story? Get in touch: [email protected] COLLEGE ROUND-UP “We cannot go back to the fifteenth century” TriniTy welcomes new masTer sir isabella Cookson meets the saudi Princess after her talk at the Cambridge union GreGory winTer CambridGE uNioN soCiEty his summer saw the first The Princess is, however, very keen TriniTy Students were perhaps for women from Saudi Arabia to defend the royal family. She wants the first time in their lives told to compete in the Olympics. Yet reform not revolution. She claims that stand on the grass during the instal- the domestic picture of the the King is in fact a reformist who lation of Sir Gregory Winter as the T11 million women who live in Saudi desires change. I wonder, therefore, new Master of Trinity College. The Arabia remains largely unchanged. who and what, prevents progress for ceremony itself was held in a tra- They have no political rights, must have women? Her explanation is not black ditional manner with Sir Winter a male guardian (regardless of their age) and white, something she herself was presenting himself at the Great and are the only women in the world keen to emphasise. “The King is a Gate and knocking on the doors prohibited from driving. The call for Bedouin man and he gives a big role to of the side entrance after a nine- change is being championed by an women. In that culture, the women tend minute long peal of bells. Wearing unexpected and polemic figure. to raise the children and do the house- academic dress and holding his HRH Princess Basma Bint Saud Bin work, do the fieldwork and drive the Letters Patent from the Queen, he Abdulaziz is the niece of the current camel or the horse. The men are there handed them on to the Head Porter ruler King Abdullah and the 115th child for protection from other tribes. The who then passed them on to the of King Saud. Despite being one of the woman has her role in this tradition but Vice Master for verification. After most elite royals in the country, she is it’s not modern and it’s in a completely gaining official approval the Fellows using her prominent position to speak different shape to that in the West.” of the College, gathered in order of out for women in a culture where they Her tie to her family is evidently seniority, processed from the Ante have no voice. She writes copiously as a strong but it does place her in a difficult Chapel towards the Great Gate to journalist and blogger tackling issues of position, both intellectually and person- welcome the new Master. poverty and women’s rights both in the ally. I wonder what her family’s reaction HRH Princess Basma Bint Saud claims that her family are not pleased with her stance press at home and more recently across has been and her answer is frank and Vince cable discusses the globe. The divorced mother of five heartfelt. “Everyone has a price to pay. Mutawa does not represent Islam, they family, wear their veils. I am not saying economic policy also owns her own business, a chain of My family are not against me, but they represent extremism and Islam is a that women shouldn’t play their role restaurants, which she hopes to expand are not pleased. They have not done religion that forbids extremism. They but they should play their role within GonVille and caius Business Sec- to the UK soon. Sitting in front of me, anything to stop me. It would not be misinterpret the Qu’ran. Unfortunately, the twenty first century. We cannot go retary Vince Cable returned to wearing no veil, trousers and a pair of they are getting more and more power. back to the fifteenth century.” Cambridge on Wednesday evening heels, she seems a world apart from ‘A woman in Saudi King Abdullah, since he is a reformist, Unexpectedly, the Princess publicly to visit Caius, where he gave a short the stereotypical image of a woman in has been giving money to lots of other declared that women should not be able speech on economic policy. He also Saudi Arabia. Arabia lives on a daily organisations in the country. One of the to drive. Progress, she thinks, needs to fielded questions from students on Yet that is exactly what she is: a world basis in fear’ organisations is the religious one, and happen over time: “It’s not safe. They topics that ranged from Keynesian apart, the exception, not the rule. “I am they’ve taken advantage of that power. would be beaten up by men on the economics to social mobility. The very much a woman of high privileges. fair to say that they do not have a hand King Abdullah wanted to give more streets which would merely reaffirm event was jointly hosted by Caius I have been educated; I have travelled in what is happening on the ground. rights, more freedom for other organ- that women driving is bad for them. Politics and Cambridge Student the world. Whatever I say, it can never Women’s rights would threaten their isations to form, to be socially active. First of all we need to change the con- Liberal Democrats societies in the be as honest as if you had heard it from position with the religious authorities. Like the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, stitution, men and women need to be college’s relatively-small audito- them. I can try and draw you a picture There are so many grey areas, so many they have taken the reign.” made equal on the streets, in the law rium; the room could easily have however, but it isn’t a very rosy one. A areas that must be reformed.” The battle she is fighting is not just courts, in the home, in the workplace, been filled at least twice over with woman in Saudi Arabia lives on a daily Her campaign is directed principally against the patriarchy. Women them- in all rights. Then we might be ready, the number of people who had been basis in fear. There’s nothing she can against the Mutawa, the draconian reli- selves have proven to be an enemy to then women should drive.” queuing outside for half an hour count on. She lives under the tyranny gious police force who in 2002 refused reform. “They are playing into the mind- This is not a simple problem, nor before the event’s start time. During of the man; she has no rights; nowhere to allow schoolgirls to leave a blazing set of the culture. It’s the same in Egypt one without its contradictions. Yet Cable’s short speech, he insisted to go if she’s abused. She lives in dark- building because they were not wear- now- you have Egyptian women in the the unlikely advocate of change must that “nobody really understood why ness and some light must be shed in her ing the correct Islamic dress. “I am a parliament who are saying that women also be a seed of hope for the future of our economy collapsed” but that he w a y.” very religious person but for me the should go back behind doors, raise their women in Saudi Arabia. was certain that part of the problem was that “our banking system was allowed to become too big.” sTem cell research Julian Huppert, MP: “Higher education should be free” earns nobel prize alice udale-smith talks apologising, rebellion and cycling with Cambridge’s local mP corpus chrisTi Sir John Gurdon, a LEsLEy iNNEs developmental biologist at Cam- ulian Huppert is not your stereo- and then if you succeed you don’t need is situations where, as recently, “Justine bridge for the last forty-one years, typical MP. For a start, he is part of to rebel”. All the same, he admits that Greening was effectively fired for stand- has been awarded the Nobel Prize a dying breed of non-career politi- “we don’t win all the fights with George ing up for Government policy.” in physiology or medicine for his Jcians. And then there’s the fact that Osborne”. With his pro-honesty stance on politi- research into stem cells. Sharing he holds a PhD in Biological Chemis- Huppert argues that in Australia’s cians apologizing, it is hardly surprising the prize with Japanese scientist try from Trinity. You have to hope he university system, on which the current that he found the recent autotuned Nick Shinya Yamanaka, Gurdon said he is therefore one of the few politicians fee model is loosely based, the result Clegg apology video “very well done.” was “immensely honoured to be recently surveyed who would actu- has been bigger universities taking over After all, he added, “what other party awarded this spectacular recogni- ally know what the correct probability small ones which are struggling finan- has a leader who’s been in the Top 40?” tion” and “delighted” to be sharing of getting two heads is when a coin is cially. In Cambridge he says “we have On the subject of local issues he says it with Yamanaka. Both have com- tossed twice (something I’m fairly cer- three great universities [ARU, Cam- that “being an MP in Cambridge is a pleted pioneering research into tain is taught even in today’s GCSE bridge, and the Open University], all very unique position” due to the variety how stem cells, the organisms used maths). aiming to do different things, and to of people in the city. He is particularly to produce all tissue, can be derived Inevitably, the talk immediately lose any one of them would be a great keen on improving the cycle network from ordinary, specialised cells, turns to the recent statistics showing shame.” He remains positive that the both in the city and surrounding coun- opening the possibility of using an increase of applications to Cam- fee system will not be changed soon, tryside. “Cambridge is great nationally” them to fight disease. Knighted bridge, particularly from state school though, as the “pain and anguish is too he says, “but if you compare us to some- in 1995, Gurdon was master of applicants, despite the increased fees. g r e a t .” where like Holland we’re only average; Magdalene College from 1995 to He admits to being surprised about As to whether students should for- there is still more to be done. Improv- 2002 and has worked in the Depart- the increase, albeit “really pleased”. “I give Liberal Democrats for breaking ing the infrastructure, having separated ment of Zoology since 1983. believe passionately that higher educa- their election pledges, he admits that cycle paths and even reassuring people tion should be free” he says, but admits trust issues are currently a problem for they can cycle in normal clothes are diVine inTerVenTion that deciding exactly how to fund it will ‘Why should politicians all parties. He is however “keen on the all necessary to improve the state of sT John’s In 2004 planning permis- always be an issue. As an undergrad at idea that people apologise when we get cycling in this country.” sion was approved to convert the Cambridge when Labour first intro- pretend we never it wrong” and is critical of the current Despite all the current doom and Divinity school on Trinity Street duced tuition fees, he has campaigned make mistakes?’ climate in Whitehall were admitting gloom in the papers, Huppert is opti- into a bar. However, a multi-mil- against the initial introduction of fees, that a policy is flawed is seen as the mistic about the future – particularly for lion pound investment by St John’s, top-up fees and now also against the worst possible thing to do: “why should young people. He is keen to stress that which owns the property, has con- latest rise. Huppert also thinks that the of his fellow Lib Dem MPs. The plan politicians pretend we never make mis- he is happy to assist students with any verted the space into a 170-seat fees may yet deter students from apply- when he ran for MP in 2000 was always takes?”. In science, he argues, there is problems they might encounter, espe- lecture theatre, teaching rooms, ing, and says that the impact on mature to “stand up for the things I care about”, nothing wrong with having lots of ideas cially if a college can’t or won’t help. He and a basement archive. The scaf- and postgraduate students will be more and he acknowledges that as a result he and then discarding the ones that prove appreciates that students care deeply folding has finally been removed to severe than it was on undergraduates. has “rebelled a number of times.” He to be wrong. Politics, he argues, should about a range of issues, and insists that reveal the neo-Tudor building, built Perhaps most importantly to stu- is keen to stress that he is not an anar- be more like that, with an emphasis on we have the power to affect what he - as in 1878. dents, Huppert stood true to his chist though, and says that “I don’t like “evidence informed policy”, rather than our MP - says and does. Sorry to Girton pre-election promise to vote against the rebelling, it’s better to try and change sticking to a clearly flawed plan just to and Homerton students, though: your proposal to increase fees, unlike some what the government is doing instead, save face. Otherwise, he says, the result areas are covered by a different MP Deutsche Bank db.com/careers Is there space for creative thinkers in investment banking? Agile minds think there’s space for no one else
Discover Deutsche Bank Event You’d be surprised by how creative you need to be at Deutsche Bank. Date: Tuesday 30th October 2012 Because the needs of our clients are continually evolving, we constantly have Time: 6.30pm to innovate — with new product ideas, new investment strategies and new Venue: Fitzwilliam Museum, Founders Entrance technologies. As far as we’re concerned, the only way we can keep one step Format: Networking with Deutsche Bank representatives over drinks and canapés ahead of the competition is by challenging convention. And if you share this mindset, there could be an equally exceptional future for you here. For more information and to register to attend, please visit https://registration.db.com/Cambridge2012 by Friday 26th October. To find out more, come along to our Discover Deutsche Bank Event. You’ll hear first-hand from people who were once in your position, and are Discover something different atdb.com/careers/uk now at the forefront of one of the world’s leading financial institutions.
1-00004917_073_270x170_v4.indd 1 21/09/2012 16:35
invites you to dISCOVEr OUr WOrld and learn about the unique opportunities at Oliver Wyman that will accelerate your career. PItt BUIldInG, trUmPInGtOn StrEEt WEdnESday 24th OCtOBEr 6:30Pm fOr a 7Pm Start Now accepting applications for full-time and intern positions. Apply online at oliverwyman.com/careers
Oliver Wyman is a leading global management consulting firm that combines deep industry knowledge with specialised expertise in strategy, operations, risk management, and organisation transformation. With offices in 50+ cities across 25 countries, Oliver Wyman works with the CEOs and discover executive teams of Global 1000 companies. our WOrld An equal opportunity employer. PAUSE FOR THOUGHT WITH MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, THERE’S ALWAYS A GREAT PLACE TO GET TOGETHER FOR A COFFEE.
Grow Further.
Searching for inquiring MindS Wanting a son
In a country in which people only want boys, every family continues to have children until they have a boy. If they have a girl, they have another child. If they have a boy, they stop.
What is the proportion of boys to girls in the country?
If you want to know the answer or find out more about working at BCG, then visit puzzle.bcglondon.com
Please join us at our Main Presentation on Tuesday 23 Scan the QR code for a October. Please register your interest on cambridge.bcg.com map of all our locations
FRESH FRUIT • SANDWICHES PREPARED DAILY • JUICES • CAKES & COOKIES
www.unicen.cam.ac.uk
Varsity_week3.indd 1 10/10/2012 11:59:34 UC Pause Ad 130x170.indd 1 24/09/2012 16:46
www.thouronaward.org Bright Fully Funded Study in the USA Sparks Up to TEN awards, each with a total value of approx US$80,000 per year, covering tuition fees and living expenses, including travel in the USA, will be available (for one or two years) from 1st Required! September 2013 for candidates who wish to pursue a postgraduate programme at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
Join our team of Software Developers on a Applications are invited by 5pm on 1st November 2012 from UK university graduates, including forthcoming summer 2013 starting salary of £24K and excellent benefits graduates, who are British citizens normally resident in the UK. Come along and learn more at a Thouron Award presentation on: The requirements...Degree of 2:1 or higher, AAB at A-level, with an A in Maths 17th October, 5:30, Lubbock Room, Peterhouse, Cambridge All welcome: ideal for final year undergraduates and master’s students No experience required considering a master’s or PhD programme in the USA.
To apply, send your CV and covering letter to [email protected] For further details visit www.thouronaward.org in association with Please visit our website for more information at www.tpp-uk.com or contact Jennie Eldridge, Award Administrator on +44 (0)20 7848 3376 quoting ref TA12.
©TPP 2012 All rights reserved Contact 0113 20 500 82 or email [email protected] 13867 Thouron_Varsity 120x105.indd 1 27/09/2012 09:25 News Editors: Alice Udale-Smith & Patrick O’Grady Good story? Get in touch: [email protected] OctOber 12 2012 NEWS 11 Delhi students threaten boycott of CUP
ClARE CottERIll Clare Cotterill – hold sway over the academic market, NEWs REpoRtER even in India, such a boycott should make things difficult for students, and Cambridge University Press is one might also be difficult to enforce.” of three major publishing companies However, he added that, should the involved in a dispute over the photo- publishing companies win their case, “a copying of academic course texts at boycott of sorts would be enforced upon a printing shop at the University of the vast majority of students anyway – Delhi. and so a call for boycott is also a way of The civil suit against Rameshwari seizing the initiative and in that sense is Photocopying Service and the Uni- certainly practicable. versity of Delhi centres around the “The call is also meant to express the production of ‘coursepacks’, bound fact that these publishers’ actions are collections of photocopied course seriously antagonizing its primary pool material. of readers and contributors in India, Protests against the actions of and the campaign in Delhi also seeks Cambridge University Press, Oxford to make this a commercially undesir- University Press and Taylor & Francis able step.” group have grown, with a number of The case hinges on two strands of the online petitions, and the threat to boy- Indian Copyright Act, 1957. Section 14 cott these publishers at the University (a) of the Act states that copyright, “in of Delhi. A letter signed by the “Stu- the case of a literary, dramatic or musi- dents and Faculty of Delhi University” cal work” comprises “the exclusive right concludes: “[a]s a reaction, if this case is subject to the provisions of this Act, to Hands off our intellectual property: the Cambridge University press Bookshop and headquarters, the pitt Building not revoked immediately, we students do or authorise the doing of any of the following acts in respect of a work or Highlighting these legal grounds for percentage of average national income, “with classes comprising at least 60-70 ‘A call for boycott is any substantial part thereof”, including, defence, Bhattacharyya admits that and this makes the situation more dif- people, libraries simply cannot provide specifically, “(i) to reproduce the work “this might still function as a test case ficult in a place like Delhi. While these sufficient copies of required readings. also a way of seizing in any material form including the stor- and lead to the specification of a limit to presses remain as powerful as they are, “Even if Delhi University libraries the initiative and in ing of it in any medium by electronic photocopying for educational purposes the only way large sections of Indian miraculously reach Oxbridge stand- means’ and ‘(ii) to issue copies of the […], which would hurt the ability of stu- society can enter this knowledge econ- ards in terms of number of copies of a that sense is certainly work to the public not being copies dents to access texts all over India given omy is by photocopying”. text available per student – and that is already in circulation”. the different material conditions here.” Bhattacharyya references recent esti- not exactly going to happen given the practicable’ Indian Politics & Culture Journal The The petition on change.org – which, at mates made in The Hindu newspaper larger student numbers involved and Caravan emphasizes Section 14 (a) as last count, had 877 supporters – asserts the fact that India is a poorer economy and faculty members have decided to the specific area of copyright that the that, in keeping with these exemptions ‘Teachers have – students in Delhi would still need to boycott these three presses. We will publishing companies claim is violated to copyright infringement, most of the photocopy and scan texts for courses, actively ensure that no books of these by these coursepacks. readings “are for private circulation distributed copies of as happens in Oxbridge today.” three presses are used in the campus However, defenders of the and academic purposes and not mass chapters or sections Bhattacharyya believes that “[i]t is and will urge all teachers not to recom- Rameshwari Photocopy Service quote produced or produced for mass com- important for members of Oxbridge mend any books or readings published a different section of the 1957 Act. Sec- mercial purposes”. of books in class, or colleges and faculties to express their by them.” tion 52 lists actions which “shall not Bhattacharyya points to his personal solidarity with students in different Varsity spoke to Abhishek Bhattach- constitute an infringement of copy- experience at all of the universities uploaded scans on places to avoid appearing complacent aryya, who has studied at Cambridge, right”, citing “private use, including involved in this debate: “at all three uni- something like CamTools’ in their privileges, and also to build Oxford and Delhi universities, and who research’ as part of a so-called ‘fair deal- versities I have been in classes where broader struggles when even British has been involved in the protests and ing’ with a literary work. Part of this teachers have distributed copies of education is massively hit by plans to specifically in drafting a petition by the series of exemptions also includes the chapters or sections of books in class, of the costs individual students would further corporatize things.” He believes members and alumni of Oxford, calling reproduction of a work ‘by a teacher or uploaded scans on something like incur in the absence of photocopying. that CUP is “seeking to contain knowl- upon OUP to withdraw its case. or a pupil in the course of instruction”. CamTools.[The] publications of presses “Even an upper-middle class student… edge […] within entrenched circuits of Bhattacharyya believes that, “given Whether or not this ‘fair dealing’ has based in the global North tend to be would usually not be able to afford privilege’, and that ‘protests by people the way OUP, CUP and Taylor and been violated is central to the court more expensive in the global South, all the texts prescribed for a masters at Oxford and Cambridge can certainly Francis – the three litigants in this case case. in terms of opportunity costs or as a course”, he commented, adding that help the situation.” Galloway tweets: I’ll sue NUS for ban A fin-free Cambridge FIN FREE CAmBRIDGE GEoRGE GAlloWAy Patrick O’Grady Further, NUS has banned Mr. Gallo- NEWs EDItoR way from sharing a platform with any NUS speakers or attending any of their George Galloway has announced plans events. The upcoming TWS seminar is to sue the NUS for the passing of a ‘No not an NUS event and TWS is not affili- Platform’ motion, which prevents any ated with NUS.” NUS officers speaking alongside him, in The secretary of Clare Poli- addition to preventing him speaking at tics expressed a similar view, Union organised events. explaining that: “We don’t feel that Galloway took to Twitter to declare banning people who express contro- that “any damages that I recover from versial views is necessarily the best the NUS for defamation will be donated way forward; if you keep that person to the Defence Fund for Julian Assange from speaking, you take away their and Bradley Manning.” The Respect accountability. MP sparked controversy in a podcast How are they ever going to be made in August in which he stated that the to defend or discuss what they have allegations against Assange were “bad said if they are banned? We don’t think sexual etiquette” and “don’t constitute that the NUS decision against Mr Gal- rape”. loway can achieve much for these very Despite the NUS motion, Galloway “Bad sexual etiquette”: a justification reasons; if you repress something, it sharking: louise Ruddell and teale phelps Bondaroff of Fin Free Cambridge has been invited to speak in Cambridge for Assange rape charges? cannot be analysed or criticised.” this term by both the Wilberforce The NUS explained to the Huffing- Varsity News be debated by the City Council when it Society and by Clare Politics. The MP minded MP, with a successful record of ton Post UK that the decision to ban meets on 25th October. Shark fins are for Bradford West is due to speak on political engagement in East London Galloway was part of a “campaign to On Wednesday two intrepid volun- used in a variety of ways, including for October 13th at a Wilberforce Society and Bradford, Mr. Galloway is an ideal tackle attitudes on campus that trivi- teers from Fin Free Cambridge delivered food production; they are considered seminar, and again on November 26th, choice of guest speaker on this issue. alise sexual assault or seek to blame a petition, containing 3595 signatures a delicacy in some countries. The UK to Clare Politics. He will be attending TWS neither endorses nor condemns survivors, and instead promote a better to the Cambridge GuildHall, dressed is currently ranked 19th in the world a seminar entitled ‘Engaging young Mr. Galloway’s personal beliefs – these understanding of consent.” as sharks. The local community group for shark fin exports. According to Fin people in UK politics’ and discussing are his and his only – but we respect his A member of Galloway’s office is hopes to make Cambridge the first Free Cambridge, 4 business in Cam- Scottish independence respectively. right to free speech on a matter about responded by stating that the Respect UK city to take a strong stance against bridge currenlty use shark fins. 50% of A spokesperson for the Wilberforce which he is an acknowledged expert, MP’s views are “widely held on the left the use of shark fins. The issue of how to the of UK’s 21 native sharks species are Society told Varsity: “As an independent- for which we invited him to our event. of the political spectrum.” make Cambridge shark fin free will now now listed as threatened. Comment Editor: Aliya Ram 12 COMMENT OCTOBER 12 2012 Got opinions? Want them published? Have your say: [email protected]
BeforeWomen starting a new yearin at Cambridge:such a traditional university, Anna an Seigal education asks female students to think about how their actions can offset asymmetries in the educational structure and promote a culture of equality and respect
nd how do we keep our the way they are taught and recognize those in attendance do not span the SHACHI AMDEKAR from your time here if you do. balance? “ at I can tell you the changes that can be made – by spectrum of women studying Looking beyond the campaign, in one word – tradition”. Just them – to increase the enjoyability and here. If the Women’s there are other ways our negligence like the shtetl in Fiddler on effi cacy of their degree. Campaign does not shows: in our lack of consideration Athe Roof, Cambridge has an awful lot of For instance, if offi cial contact accurately refl ect your about how women’s actions might tradition. But the persistence of long- hours seem excessively formal, set up needs, then attend and unintentionally reinforce unhelpful standing norms at Cambridge is not a relaxed study group for students (or introduce improvements, gender stereotypes, for instance. necessarily an indication of their value. make sure the faculty organises one). or set up an independent Certain types of behaviour are not ey do not mean that during your You are not the only one who wants to project to achieve your only unproductive for the culture in time here, you cannot change things. easily and approachably seek academic aims. It is not a big time Cambridge (a stereotypical judgment Women have only been accepted advice. If you want a diff erent commitment and you rarely involves admiration of a as full members of the University of supervisor, request one. will fi nd a great deal Cambridge since 1948, and even then e threat of implicit biases and more satisfaction ‘You are well within your they were not a part of the mixed stereotyping have resulted in statistics colleges until the sixties. Nowadays which report underperformance and right to make demands women studying maths and sciences lower degree satisfaction for female of the University’ are still vastly outnumbered by their students at Cambridge. For example, according to a survey from February ‘Much of our current 2012 taken in the Philosophy faculty, woman’s intellectual capacity), but also over 60% of students agreed that do nothing to help women’s academic educational structure men contribute more than women in performance. dates from long ago’ discussion groups. It is worth giving some thought to Of course not all diffi culties are the ways in which your behaviour is the fault of the system. Although perceived, and to how it will aff ect male counterparts, with proportions on a local level the cause of the way you think of yourself in the becoming even more skewed at stereotype threat can be attributed academic world. Whilst you might not postgraduate level. Cambridge is an to Cambridge’s particularities (it is act like a woo-girl in a supervision, ancient institution steeped in and possible to reach third year never doing so the night before might mean greatly attached to its traditions so it having had a female lecturer, for you’re not in a mindset which is about should be no surprise that much of its example) the issue clearly has wider empowerment, strength or academic current educational structure dates cultural roots. And what’s more, success. ink about how you relate from long ago – when there were no, Cambridge degrees are supposed to be to your friends and the implications or very few, women at the university. challenging. But the challenge should of the behaviour that you choose to e lack of inclusion of women is be productive – think about what you exhibit. Be proactive and refl ective, no longer explicitly mentioned and, can do to help enhance your education and allow yourself to create a time of course, degrees do not seek to and further your studies. You are well here which does justice to yourself. purposefully disadvantage anyone. within your right to make demands. Still, since they were largely put Do not tell yourself “they have Anna Seigal is founder of “ e Emmy together at a time when women were probably accepted me by mistake” – Noether Society: Women that count”. not given consideration, it is not they probably haven’t. Dedicated to the promotion of women surprising that systemic inequalities e CUSU Women’s Campaign in the mathematical sciences, the still exist. Cambridge’s traditions (as seeks in part to reform the way we are society hosts welfare sessions, talks by well as attracting tourists) are part taught. ey are doing pretty well, eminent female mathematicians and is of what makes the university special. but struggle with low levels of student setting up a mentoring scheme. She is But to compensate for their shortfalls interest. ere are small turnouts for happy to advise people interested in now, women must take possession of the fortnightly women’s forum and putting together similar initiatives.
In all honesty... Older and more cynical now, we still support Obama In all honesty, I think there has been Alex Marshall wonders how to deal with the dying fall of a man who made us so optimistic an Adele overkill. I’ve had it up to here with her. Hell yes, she can sing. our years ago I was seventeen. I reading the faded pages today I can petty negative television adverts about remarkable capacity for conservative But did she have her heart broken? had just learned to drive, Avatar see the ways in which my outlook has Mitt Romney. Obama’s performance in stubbornness. Pur-lease. You would find more hadn’t yet infected cinemas changed: to my disappointment, I’ve the fi rst presidential debate last week So don’t get me wrong, I will be emotional expression in the average with 3D glasses and Nicki Minaj become jaded. lacked the energy of the eloquence he rooting for Obama to win a second King Edward Potato. And for those I Fwas a stranger to the charts. 2008 was Guantanamo Bay survives, the displayed in confrontations with John term: I would rather it was he who have slightly more sympathy. We’ve a simpler time. It was also the year I situation in Afghanistan is still deeply McCain. dealt with a potential escalation in Iran all had our hearts broken, FACT. e watched with bated breath as Barack troubling and the Iranian crisis slowly But of course, this is the way politics diff erence is that I didn’t mope over Obama was elected President of the worsens. Domestic issues are just as works. Incumbent politicians must ‘It seems a shame such it for 11 tracks of self-pity (at least, United States. worrying: the struggling economy defend themselves against aggressive not 11 tracks of my own music). Four years later I am awaiting the means unemployment levels are high opposition. Disappointment at lost genuine passion can cool Oh, and thanks for the Bond upcoming election with an altogether while Republicans scramble to repeal campaign promises is to be expected, so quickly to cynicism’ theme. No, really. 390 seconds of diff erent attitude. e 2008 election the Patient Protection and Aff ordable which is why someone went to the mediocrity, lathered with the most was fascinating, with memorable Care Act known to us as ‘Obamacare’. eff ort of mocking Nick Clegg’s very inane, generic lyrics possible. characters like the venerable veteran Obama was probably always belated apology by turning it autotune. and I think it more prudent to continue If you want to revert back to the John McCain and Democrat stalwart promising too much with his Still, the manner in which Obama’s with his economic strategy than hope themes of the 1960s, be my guest. Hillary Clinton. ere was even the progressive attitude towards healthcare presidential term has coincided with free markets magically provide the Lord knows how much I long for unfortunate but exciting sideshow of and ambitious ideas for a post-Bush the maturing of young people like answers. Perhaps most importantly the return of the Great Basset. But if Sarah Palin. I had told myself I would foreign policy. He was handicapped myself makes this transformation of all, I hope he can safeguard his that’s what you were going for, you’d not fall for the electioneering of this right from his inauguration by the especially poignant. It seems a shame healthcare bill for posterity. be better off with Lana del Rey. In the elaborate, if sometimes vulgar, contest. gravity of the fi nancial crisis. e right such genuine passion can cool so However, I wonder how many battle between mysterious Ameri- But I was a bushy-eyed and bright- man at the wrong time, perhaps. quickly to cynicism. people around my age have gone can siren and Essex…thing, tailed history student and Barack To see Obama, once such a symbol Indeed, this may merely be an through the same changes, leaving there will only ever be one Obama’s inspirational rhetoric proved of hope, hamstrung by political and example of the celebrity-democracy their support for Obama in 2012 winner. impossible to resist. I believed his fi nancial realities has been distressing. crisis that comes when a leader is feeling a whole lot diff erent from how sweeping victory in November could “Change is going to take more than one mythologised into a political saviour. it did in 2008. I expect what we feel is genuinely be a momentous occasion term or one President or one party,” he It is no secret that the executive not disenchantment with one man, Email your 170 for America – one of those rare events said at a recent fundraiser. When one branch of the American government but a natural rite of passage: maturing word opinion you recall in years to come. remembers his damaging debate with is often over-estimated in its ability and losing faith in the political process. to comment@ Last week I found three copies of Congressional Republicans about the to pass legislation, and the mid-term Perhaps it is inescapable. But I can only varsity.co.uk. e Times from the 4th to the 6th debt ceiling, the ‘one party’ seems a losses in Congress explain much hope that at some point in my life I LIZZIE MARX We can publish it of November stashed in my room. particular sticking point. about the diffi culty Obama has had may feel the same sense of enthusiasm anonymously. Imagine the naïve optimism that Similarly, the platform of confi dence passing economic and social law. In and optimism that I did for Barack compelled my 17-year-old self to keep and progress he so eloquently many ways, Obama provided a dose Obama in 2008. these particular editions. However, presented in ’08 has been replaced with of radical politics in a nation with a ● Letter from America, p18 Comment Editor: Aliya Ram Got opinions? Want them published? Have your say: [email protected] OCTOBER 12 2012 COMMENT 13
CURRANT AFFAIRS is is dysfunctional discrimination FREYA BERRY Justina Kehinde argues that blaming leadership issues on racial or ethnic discrimination can his week, my friend’s unhelpfully misrepresent the real questions and difficulties that people in power gay BFF Tsuddenly left men f, hypothetically, Mitt Romney emphasizing his “dysfunctional[ity]” article caused would exist if Ghani behind him, hopped had related the perceived failure and lack of power rather than looking were white. Too quickly are issues in back into the closet and of Obamacare to the President’s at the actual problems which are leadership aligned to questions about asked her out. People can surprise ethnicity (it doesn’t require too “undermining” his rights as the ethnic discrimination. To assume or you. is might not matter in the Imuch creativity to imagine him doing democratically elected president. imply that someone’s success is down long run for my friend but it has that), it would have been seen as a Investigating the “prejudice” which to race, or to see constitutional issues nastier eff ects on a political level – gross display of discrimination – an has allegedly reduced Ghani to as manifestations of xenophobia is particularly when the person who Olympic leap over the acceptability a “toothless” President, Varsity’s to do a disservice to the very real surprises you is the President of the line. Yet eliding diffi culties of graduate reporter discovered that the problems our student leaders face. We United States. Obama and Romney leadership with racial prejudice seems alleged discrimination was in fact due perpetuate an anxiety about race that went head-to-head during the to have become a popular pastime for to a misunderstanding about the new ultimately reinforces diff erentiation to presidential debates last Wednesday. critics of the GU and CUSU. GU constitution, which automatically the detriment of minority students. And, amazingly enough, the man March saw the CUSU Presidential makes the Welfare Offi cer a trustee praised for bringing rhetoric back elections marred by allegations of of the Union, something which Ghani ‘Too quickly are issues to politics was defeated by an prejudice as candidate Akilah Jeff ers sees as reducing his Presidential opponent so mistake-prone he was docked 200 points for an alleged infl uence. in leadership aligned to makes Joe Biden look like a man breach of campaign regulations. Had If there is confl ict in the Graduate questions about ethnic who watches his words. Akilah beaten eventual winner Rosalyn Union, the injustice has nothing to Four years after Obama-mania Old, she would have been the fi rst do with race or ethnicity but is about discrimination’ fi rst struck, it’s hard to think of black CUSU president. And so, instead the structure of the Union itself. If the the hope that accompanied his of a thorough exploration of campaign appointment of the Welfare Offi cer to e success or failure of Obamacare election as anything more than regulations or of Jeff ers’ conduct, her the trustee board does undermine the has never been and will never be mindless optimism. Giving Obama penalty elicited immediate cries of President, then it will do so whether dependent on either Obama’s white the Nobel Peace Prize was no racial discrimination. All this despite that President is British or Pakistani. American mother or his Kenyan less ironic a gesture than giving it the fact that during her campaign KATHERINE MORRIS e News International’s portrayal father. As Cambridge improves its to Henry Kissinger – a man still Jeff ers did not once use her ethnicity as of Ghani’s case is both disconcerting racial diversity, the proportion of pursued by a French court. e a selling point. real leadership capabilities. and disheartening. Irrespective of ethnic minority students in leadership Obama administration has used Indeed it was her intellect, A major Pakistani website, e N e w s whether Ghani is the fi rst Pakistani positions will inevitably increase. Like fi ve times more drones than the involvement with the student body and International, claims in a scathing GU president or not, his success at any leaders, they will face challenges Bush government in northern vision for CUSU that she consistently article on the Graduate Union that elections came down to his ability to – and it will become more and more Pakistan. eir multiple strikes emphasized. Had she been elected by Jeff ers’ penalty exposed the racial move the Union in a positive direction. important that these trials be analyzed have scared off the humanitarian virtue of her skin pigmentation, the prejudice endemic at Cambridge If he is being undermined, then anger according to job descriptions and not workers who try to help injured University’s student body would not University. As the current Graduate should be directed to the possible loss race relations. civilians. According to estimates, only have been exposed as positive President Arsahlan Ghani takes of that vision. just 2% of lives taken by such attacks discriminators but would have action against the GU for perceived I wonder whether the impassioned Jusina Kehinde blogs at were those of high-level targets. On simultaneously undermined Jeff ers’ racial discrimination, e News are declarations of foul play which the deathofthewriter.wordpress.com Wednesday, Obama failed to bring Romney to task on his personal tax, his history with Bain Capital or his idiotic remark about the 47%. Romney, despite being widely The E-Bac’s technical deficit scorned for who he is – essentially, a die-hard supporter of the rich Talking Point: The E-bac is branding itself as the GCSE for the with a fl exible sliding scale of right- modern world, but Sam Smith isn’t convinced wing ideas – managed for the fi rst You wanted us to know... time to come across as a confi dent prospective leader. Charisma ove’s exam reforms show Physics undergraduate arrives at shouldn’t take precedence over My internet presence is promise, but overlooking university having never used a Linux actual policies, but it does – and is computer science misses a OS. Few school leavers have any doubly important if the actual leader liberated by Twitter. It’s great opportunity. I suspect experience of programming or web is fl oundering with the latter. like a sieve for everything So, just when we were Gmany Varsity readers will broadly design. Educationalists like to talk As the party conferences carry else online: it delimits support the proposed elimination of about the “digital native” generation on in the UK, the news is full of looking forward to a lull GCSEs in core subjects, which was but in reality, many technically minded members of the public doubting photos, recommendations, following her appointment announced this September following students leave school lacking basic whether Ed Miliband can really lead thoughts and articles an earlier leak from the Department skills. when he speaks a bit like a frog. as Poet Laureate, Carol for Education. After twenty fi ve Public image still reigns supreme into a manageable Ann Duffy has shown she years of grade infl ation and syllabus in the our minds and we are all space. I can voice my reduction, GCSEs are not fi t for guilty of thinking that just because still insists on churning purpose. Employers do not know what someone can speak well, they will ideas into the public out ‘verse’. Her newest a “grade B” student can do, and the behave well. Look at Boris fever: domain without having modular exam system eats into time Ipsos Mori recently found that 61% offering, written in which should be reserved for teaching of people would prefer the blond to deal with tangled commemoration of the e proposed ‘English bombshell to the beleaguered David social awarenesses. 1612 Pendle Witches Baccalaureate’ will consist of core Cameron, who came off much papers in English Language and worse than his rival on the David The ephemerality Trial, promises more of the Literature, Pure and Applied Maths, Letterman Show just a few months of conversations is ineptitude displayed in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. ago. Boris’ popularity comes more Students will also sit a paper in the from his ability to hold a crowd successfully recreated. her Olympic offering (‘We Humanities and a foreign language. than from his political behaviour, Interest is engaged without sense new weather. / We Modular exams will be abandoned which includes dining with the and there will be only one exam board Murdochs while Scotland Yard time being wasted. BETH OPPENHEIM are on our marks. We are for each paper, which will have no was investigating the company Aliya Ram, Gonville and Caius all in this together.’) incentive to boost profi ts by lowering It is not just scientists and engineers over phone hacking. Don’t get me its standards. Broadly speaking, this is who are unprepared. Businesses wrong, the man does have nice Lewis Wynn, Emmanuel a promising initiative. lose millions every year to routine hair. But keratin alone cannot rule at being said, the E-Bac’s selection computer errors, which staff could fi x a nation, and off ering a frog the of core subjects is out of date. If we if they understood better how their electoral kiss won’t necessarily Twitter talks: Lib Dems expect every school student to dissect a software operates. A little knowledge result in a prince. sheep’s eye, then we should also expect of shell scripting speeds up everyday Obama rose to power on a tide of taking even more from every student to take apart an old repetitive tasks. Sceptics argue that personal appeal. Unfortunately, he The Thick Of It than ‘we laptop. If we know how to construct schools cannot off er such courses has been lost in the four-year mire simple sentences in French or Arabic, given the great shortage of specialist that comes from a blocked Senate bank’–Nick Clegg’s heavy then we should also know how to run teachers, but most adults learn their and foreign policies that would use of the imaginary tits in a simple program in Python or Java. computing skills from written tutorials. make Bush blush. ‘Change’ was the e omission of computer science is ere are teacher shortages in Maths, message of his last campaign. It’s a speech yesterday. a wasted opportunity to introduce Physics and many foreign languages, shame that in the years since then, Harry McNeill Adams, Pembroke students to modern society. but nobody proposes we remove these instead of changing the country Medical research relies on statistical subjects from school curricula. Small for the better, he seems to have software. Financial trades are chosen oversights can ruin good ideas. I hope changed himself for the worse. by numerical models. Yet the typical that this omission is corrected. Features Editors: Salome Wagaine & Sam Hunt 14 FEATURES OCTOBER 12 2012 What would you like to see in the paper? Let us know: features @varsity.co.uk
Welfare Offi cer – they aren’t receiving someone turning to any of Cambridge’s enough support and attention…”. And, welfare services (from your Welfare offi cer unfortunately, many of these services are to the Student Advice Service to the “underfunded, and under-staff ed”. In spite Counselling Service) is that asking for help Are you too stressed of this, the University Counselling Service is not in any way ‘failing’” and it is vital to (UCS) is working as hard as possible to remember that “Cambridge is a tough combat (amongst other things) anxiety in place and you should never feel that Cambridge. you can’t talk to someone in the Charlie informs us that “the Counselling strictest confi dence.” Service can be approached through a web- Jack Mosedale to function? form on the UCS website. Students are asked for information about themselves, and to give as much information as possible Where do we draw the line between student stress about their problem. Once the form is sent off , the Counselling service will be and anxiety issues? This week, Varsity talks to those in contact with an appointment as soon as possible. UCS provides a number of suffering from anxiety in Cambridge and asks who to diff erent forms of counselling, including psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural call when the pressure gets too much therapy as well as group therapy sessions. e information on the form allows the Service to understand what kind of nxiety is a natural and important feelings of anxiety and low self worth makes counselling best suits a student.” part of life. In the right doses, me panic and so I’d rather just keep the Bindels fi nally advises feelings of anxiety help to problem to myself.” Varsity that “the most prepare us for important events It appears that the problem of anxiety important piece of Aand can even protect us from harm. is somewhat self-perpetuating. A highly advice I can give However, for some people, anxiety can stressful environment normalises feelings of be an uncontrollable and overwhelming anxiety, resulting in an increased reluctance sensation, even in the absence of any real to speak out about it, which in turn makes threat or danger. UK statistics show that, those suff ering feel altogether more alone in each year, 1 in 4 people will experience their struggles. some kind of mental health problem. On To shine greater light on the problem top of this, mixed anxiety and depression is of anxiety in Cambridge, CUSU Welfare the most common mental disorder in the Offi cer Charlie Bindels spoke to Varsity Cambridge’s country and yet, in far too many cases, goes with her thoughts on the issue. Bindels through-the-night completely untreated and unaddressed. initially pointed out that “obviously anxiety confi dential helpline, A high-pressure environment like is a normal emotion, it’s not necessarily a Linkline, (01223 Cambridge clearly adds to the problem. bad thing to feel it in a given situation – just 367575, or, Having spoken to university students about before a test, for example – but when it alternatively,01223 their own battles with anxiety it seems that dominates your day-to-day life that’s when 744444) uses a now the personal task of judging exactly how it becomes a problem and, unfortunately, I popular wartime much anxiety is too much is a diffi cult one. think that’s just the case here. I don’t think slogan (see next e infamously fast-pace of Cambridge life it’s healthy for anyone to be living with page) for its poster induces stress by default, so it seems that stress constantly and yet it’s becoming for those grappling with an anxiety disorder, the norm for an awful lot of Cambridge the feelings of worry and strain that are students.” heralded as ‘normal’ are, to an extent, felt to When asked about the extent to which undermine their struggle. an intense environment such as Cambridge One student told Varsity that “going to could potentially contribute to issues of Cambridge makes it [anxiety] even more anxiety, Bindels told us she is “cautious diffi cult to cope with because everyone here about creating a hype around the ‘pressure is stressed out anyway, so I worry that if I of Cambridge’” but agreed that “Cambridge tell people how I’m feeling, they’ll just think has become an environment which I’m being melodramatic or weak and either normalises anxiety: ‘week 5 blues’, ‘all- not take it seriously or perhaps even judge nighters’ and ‘essay-crises’ are all phrases me.” I’ve heard going around already this term. Indeed, another student said “I guess my is perpetuates the stress and anxiety main point of anxiety would be feeling like that students are already feeling and it also I don’t belong in Cambridge… I feel like I’m becomes problematic because it means working as hard as I can and I can barely they become dismissive of anxiety felt by keep up. I’ve got good friends, but I still feel themselves and others”. quite isolated and alone a lot of the time In terms of factors contributing to and the prospect of telling people about my anxiety, Bindels assessed the possibility that ‘the process of moving from school to University plays a big part in the anxiety FROM THE students feel.’ WELFARE OFFICERS She notes that “before arriving at Cambridge, the majority of the students have been high achievers, coming top Starting and attending any university is a in their classes, setting and achieving Keep calm and carry on nerve-wracking experience for everyone. high goals and have had to be incredibly For many people it is the fi rst time they driven in order to achieve what they have. he poster above my desk tells me to also fi nding themselves have stayed away from home for an Suddenly they arrive at one of the world’s ‘panic and freak out’. At the end of incarcerated alone with a pile extended period of time and everyone most prestigious universities, where so what is apparently ‘Freshers’ week’ of books in the silence of the is experiencing a whole new level of many famous and powerful people have T(but is, in fact, a true Cambridge example of library. It’s a stressful time for independence. Of course, the prospect of studied, they are being taught by world fi tting what other universities do in a week everyone and, unfortunately, work is daunting here, but most students class experts and they don’t feel they can into the space of about three days) I am only 3-10% of us will seek soon realise that they are not the only live up to the standards of these people. A standing at the foot of a mountain of essays, help, believing these feelings ones to feel that way. lot of students feel like ‘imposters’, believing lectures and supervisions, and – more to be just another part of the As welfare offi cers, we have mostly that they ‘got in by mistake’ or they simply worryingly – thinking that the poster above Cambridge experience. had to deal with anxiety in week 5 ‘shouldn’t be here’.” my desk might be right. Last year, e Tab published and exam term. Week 5 is when many She told Varsity: ‘when I fi rst arrived Like many students across the country, three students’ experiences students begin to feel homesick and I was convinced I’d been mixed up with I am stressed. Worries over Chaucer and of issues such as depression, stressed with the work piling up and another, cleverer, Charlie Bindels who medieval literature might have ruined my eating disorders and self- in Caius every member of the student would come and claim her place as soon as fi rst week, and yet they haven’t yet ruined harm. ese students union executive has to organise a special she realised what had happened. Obviously my term, my year or my time at Cambridge. deserve praise for talking week 5 event to try to help deal with the this kind of thing causes massive anxieties However, for the annually increasing about the issues they have anxiety. Exam term is stressful at any for students, and it’s made worse because numbers of students who use the University faced, and yet in order university and again, the student union the person feeling it often feels that they are Counselling service, these worries pose for their stories to come makes special eff orts throughout exam unique in their ‘imposter’ status, when in more of an issue. out, their anonymity had time in order to lighten the general fact it is caused by the environment.” As well as facing exam pressure, students to be preserved. ere is still atmosphere.” When asked about where the university must leave home for the fi rst time, provide the continued reluctance to stood on dealing with issue of mental health for themselves and lose the comforting speak out about such matters Leanne Baker and Karthik and anxiety, Charlie told us “whilst really structure of school or college. Meanwhile, in fear of judgement and Chandrasekharan (Gonville and Caius vital support systems are in place – the the student is confronted by hundreds of misunderstanding. Student Union Welfare Offi cers) University Counselling Service, CUSU’s new people, supposedly meant to make Admittedly, the British are Student Advice Service, Tutors, CUSU lifelong friends in a matter of days, whilst famous for their stiff upper lip and Features Editors: Salome Wagaine & Sam Hunt What would you like to see in the paper? Let us know: features @varsity.co.uk OCTOBER 12 2012 FEATURES 15
nxiety is very common - it is one is certainly help available. PARIS ÇA VA? of the 3 most common reasons for We have self-help information on the Advice from students coming to the University UCS website at: www.counselling.cam.ac.uk EMILY FITZELL ACounselling Service (UCS). It can be We also have counsellors and CBT triggered by many things, and not just erapists who know a lot about this area admit it: I’m the University essay deadlines or exams! However, it’s and are able to off er eff ective help, either in attempting to cook worth mentioning that not it’s not all bad 1:1 counselling or in groups or workshops. my way into the Counselling news - for we often need a certain degree Other sources of support would include hearts of my new of pressure to motivate us to get things Linkline (www.linkline.org.uk) and the Peer- IParisian neighbours. done and achieve what we want. However, 2-Peer scheme which runs in some Colleges And bar a minor accident with an Service when the anxiety goes beyond that helpful (ptp.soc.srcf.net) exceedingly boozy beef bourguignon (at motivation and becomes disabling, stopping Mark Phippen, least they won’t remember it), all seemed us from achieving what we want, then there Head of Counselling at the UCS. to be going to plan. So with National Chocolate Day in mind, I decided to push the boat out and have a stab at making some salted-caramel truffl es. And fi nally, success, I found myself ‘Anxiety is very common: it is one of surrounded – a throng of clearly smitten the three most common reasons for moths were drawn to my cocoa-dusted fl ame. is was perhaps less a testimony students coming to the University to my culinary skills, however, than to the potency of Paris’ love-aff air with Counselling Service’ chocolate. Since the fi rst chocolatier opened its doors back in 1659, the city has boasted a top-quality boutique industry with an unrivalled capacity for gastronomic innovation. Popular culture has romanticised the notion of chocolate and its production and elevated it to a seemingly magical status. However, the reality of the chocolate factory outside Europe is far from sugar-coated. Willy Wonka’s workshop brought one lucky family out of poverty and his Oompa-Loompas never went on strike, but in a real-world cocoa industry which seeks to support not one family but a mass of 50 million people, corruption is widespread A CAMBRIDGE PHENOMENON? and exploitation rife. Child labour is commonplace and with over 40% of At the risk of stating its perks (and is often one of, the world’s cocoa sourced in the Côte the painfully obvious, if not the, main attractions d’Ivoire, a French ex-colony, the ethical Cambridge is very much of a Cambridge education), concerns raise an issue close to home. a place where anxiety can it is the kind of environment Perhaps this was the infl uence behind fl ourish. e incessant which does sometimes Paris’ contributions to the Journée workload,the competitiveness, exacerbate feelings of stress Mondiale du Caco et du Chocolat this overachievers in every and anxiety. week. A tasting session with Chloé extracurricular fi eld – while But there must be more Doutre-Rousse, author of e Chocolate there is certainly room to to blame for the high level of Connoisseur and chocolatier Alexandra draw a lot of satisfaction anxiety than the composition Whisnant, for instance, unexpectedly from these, they don’t always of the institution itself. ere opened my eyes to a self-conscious, make for the most relaxing of is an ‘anxiety culture’ at work responsible and ethical world of modern lifestyles. here, where to be stressed Parisian chocolaterie. True, it may be However, there does and anxious becomes the exclusive, and at times, excessively almost seem to be an norm. ere is even a poncey (there was no way I could taste anxiety phenomenon in measure of success in ‘notes of mushroom’ in that ganache), Cambridge, one that is out some sorts of stress. but their admirable emphasis on ethical of all proportion with the People often complain production was a more than worthy daily stresses of the average of being stressed as a result return. eir audience was warned: “you student’s life. So, if such a of having to juggle multiple just can’t buy crap any more”. phenomenon does exist, how deadlines and extra- e revered Patrick Roger currently has it come about? curriculars – in other words, boasts a window display easily e collegiate system they’re incredibly busy. And mistakable for that of an art gallery, yet itself must play a part. Each in being busy, there is also his 7m-long edible sculpture featuring college is like an academic an amount of achievement a montage of giant Hippopotami in fact Petri dish, with the student- implied. is can sometimes serves primarily to spread awareness of amoeba permanently under escalate until people have the environmental issues which aff ect discomfort when asked to discuss their push ourselves on a daily basis to the watchful gaze of tutors, ‘busy-off s’, comparing hectic the West African countries where his problems, but why, in a society in which keep up with the fast paced working supervisors, porters, college schedules to subtly discern cocoa originates, such as climate-driven 25% of people will suff er from a mental environment that comes with the daily staff , and above all else, fellow who is the more busy, and animal extinction. Despite the example health problem at some point in grind of one of the best universities in the students. While belonging therefore achieving more. set by these independent entrepreneurs, their lives, do we fi nd it so hard world. to a college undoubtedly has Gwenni Hawkins the issue of exploitation continues to to talk about our problems and fester in the world of corporate, large- ask for help? ‘We often need a scale production. As such, a day of e answer is simple. We designated decadence left a taste in my are too embarrassed certain degree of mouth too bitter for even the darkest of to accept that we are pressure to motivate chocolates to account for. struggling with our own But don’t give up on choc. is issues when everyone us to get things done’ delectable disguise of brain-boosters else seems to be in the and fl avonoids is, after all, practically same boat, whilst students Freshers are thrown headfi rst into a world medicinal. Please, indulge away, but in particular fear scaring of terrifying reading lists, new and abstract try to do so ethically. Like the French, off new friends with concepts, Saturday lectures and imminent indulge in quality and at the same time, their own insecurities. deadlines. ey are cajoled by tutors to in food for thought. Students all over the make the most of their time here and are country are told that told by family and friends how lucky they these are supposed are to be at a university where they can sit in to be the best years ancient halls and learn from the best minds of their lives and of the country. as a result, they Unsurprisingly, for some, it’s just a bit too feel pressured into much. As Fresher’s week fades into distant enjoying themselves memory, another term of working hard and with the fear of pretending to play harder awaits. So instead missing out if they of relying on the advice of a poster, why not do not. speak to someone fi rst and stop attempting At Cambridge to ‘carry on’ especially, we all Morwenna Jones 16 LISTINGS OCTOBER 12 2012
Pull out and pin up on your board THEATRE MUSIC FILM Jeff Carpenter and A Piano Liars On The Road Tuesday 16th, 11pm Monday 15th, 7pm Multiple showings The Junction, £12.50 Arts Picturehouse, Vue, ADC Theatre, £6/£5 Bill Oddie e always shapeshifting Film adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s Following the success of Bereave- experimental New York punk band legendary, ‘unfi lmable’ coming-of- Tuesday 16th, Cambridge Union, 7.30pm ment: e Musical, award-winning bring their tour to Cambridge in age novel. e road-tripping youth Join this national treasure of a bearded bird-fanatic and Pembroke composer Jeff Carpenter takes centre promotion of their new album burning like fabulous roman candles alumni as he talks about his career as a BBC television presenter, stage in Cambridge with a live band WIXW. Should be a great, uber cool, include Kristen Stewart and Sam for one night only. Ella Griffi ths author, comedian and much-loved eccentric. Dominic Kelly show. Dominic Kelly Riley. Yum. Ella Griffi ths Potato smilies turn your stomach? Got a event you’d like to see in the listing? Doodle in lectures and want to see it published? Get in touch: [email protected]
BEST OF BLOGS Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Holly Richards on the joy of lyrics: th th th th “ ese songwriters craft lyrics that remain in 12 13 14 15 my mind as much as the Spice Girls or (those pioneers of double denim) B*witched. It’s not due Vivian Choi Deacon Blue Lost In Translation to catchy choruses and heavy repetition, but the MUMFORD THEATRE (ANGLIA RUSKIN), 1.10PM & CORN EXCHANGE, 8PM, £29.50 WWW.CAMFM.CO.UK, 8PM 3PM, FREE impact their lyrics has had upon me and the awe Underrated band reunited in 2012 to Cam FM brings you its weekly dose of The award-winning pianist plays work I experience on hearing lines such as “Truth is a celebrate 25 years since the release of the best of non-anglophone music. Expect by Berg, Debussy and Kapustin as part story scribbled in chalk/ Just an hour before the their debut album and will play their diverse sounds and an insight into what of Anglia Ruskin’s lunchtime series of fl ood” (Karine Polwart) and “Who knows who greatest hits as well as some new tracks the world is listening to. concerts. on this tour. wrote that song of Summer/ at blackbirds sing MUSIC at dusk” (Kate Bush). is isn’t about musical snobbery, where deliciously poetic lines such as these are all that I consider worthwhile. Songs Marvel Avengers Assemble e Perks of Being a Wall- ST JOHN’S PICTUREHOUSE; 7:00PM, 22:00PM; £3 need heart, emotion and honesty, and not all fl ower require weighty words to convey this.” ARTS PICTUREHOUSE, VUE; MULTIPLE SHOWINGS The superheroes of Marvel Comics save the world in this unsubtle yet enjoyable Emma Watson stars in this coming-of- feast of explosions, capes and martial age heart-warmer based on Stephen arts, starring Robert Downey Jr, Scarlet Chbosky’s cult classic of the same name. Johansson andSamuel L Jackson.
FILM S Goodbye, Hogwarts. Rosie Sergeant on Lindy Hopping: “My mission began with an evening spent in the company of Cambridge’s Lindy Hoppers, involving Text & Content Winged Masterclass in Playwriting an hour-long class followed by an evening of ‘social VARIOUS LOCATIONS; FREE KING’S COLLEGE, 10-.00-4.00; FREE for Young Audiences dancing’, accompanied by a live band. Fortunately Creative, diverse exhibition exploring Visit one of Cambridge’s most prestigious ADC THEATRE, 7:00PM; £8/7 the class caters to beginners’ needs, and the art and language, featuring 25 national, art galleries of wildlife prints and artwork, Natalie Wilson, Artistic Director of emphasis tended more towards having fun than local and international artists who will as well as nature-themed prints, cards Theatre Centre, gives a development perfecting the steps (or so one of my partners place their artwork in specially selected and photographs by a selection of artists. workshop for playwrights hoping to write
told me, perhaps to make me feel better about TALKS and signifi cant venues and locations. for audiences of younger age-groups. my rather haphazard footwork). Fortunately we changed partners regularly, so I didn’t have to feel too bad about my lack of co-ordination impeding Macbeth Bartholomew Fayre Corpus Smoker the more ambitious dancers in the bunch. It did CORPUS PLAYROOMS, 7PM; £6/5 ADC THEATRE; 7.45PM; £10/£8 CORPUS PLAYROOMS; 9:30PM; £6/5 make for somewhat clammy hand-holds though, After bringing a healthy dose of Scottish ‘Tis in fashion to go to the ADC, espe- The ideal opportunity to watch some which I could have done without when it was my supernatural wildness to Japan, the cially to catch the last night of the chaotic of Cambridge’s newest comedic talent turn to dance with a very cute guy with fl ippy Pembroke Players Japan Tour returns farce that is Ben Jonson’s comedy, featur- perform live, helped by a dash of good hair…” to Cambridge with their Edwardian ing punning, Puritans and pig-women. ol’ audience participation and the Smoker adaptation of Macbeth. prizes up for grabs. VIEW
Hannah Wilkinson on the beginning of her year at Cairo University: TV: Baggage Film: Do e Right ing Food: Potato Smilies CHANNEL 4, 8PM Spike Lee’s fi nest feature is fi lled with Pre-Jamie Oliver’s school dinner racial tension, big questions and revolution, the best bit of any lunchlady’s “It has four stories of long corridors, each door Western Civilisation reaches its peak boomboxes in Brooklyn. Controversial, slop were these bad boys. Treat yourself opening onto an offi ce or a lecture theatre. On with a dating show where single men challenging and utterly essential viewing. to some perfectly crisp ones and return and around each door there are something like and women select strangers for a holiday that grin to your face. four room numbers, so you can only know by based on their emotional baggage and trial and error which room your lecture is actually issues. Hosted by Gok Wan. Yes.
in. e food sold in the university is almost all IN STAY drowning in chip fat. Everyone we’ve spoken to so far has tried to politely guide us back to the English-speaking section. But it’s also a brilliant Warning Joan Armatrading CORN EXCHANGE, 7.30PM, £29.50 place. e campus seems to be constantly teeming THE JUNCTION, 10PM-6AM; FREE Ivor Novello winning, Grammy and Brit with activity. It’s like a continuous Freshers’ Fair, How does an all night rave featuring more DJs than you can shake a stick at Award nominated songstress plays songs with huge marquees and people walking round in from throughout her career in this huge t-shirts with clipboards. People are friendly and until 6am sound? Cult fi lms will also be shown in a private cinema throughout the UK tour. have no qualms about coming up to you randomly night.
in the corridor. ” GO OUT OctOber 12 2012 LisTings 17
WiSh you Were here
To the uninitiated, Florence in high season is one labyrinthine and unbearably hot art gallery. With beauty at every turn, the mind-blowing Duomo and bucketloads of Italian character, you could scratch the surface and still return fully satisfied, if a little flustered and still wondering just how that Vespa didn’t knock you into the next Trattoria. But with a month to pass, Florence becomes a new city altogether. It is a place in which you can lose yourself, ambling down twisting streets and popping in to the rambling shops. The ‘main sights’ could overwhelm even the most sceptical visitor; the view of the city, from the Campanile is without comparison and seeing Michelangelo’s David up close is a humbling experience. And yet, picking aspects of Firenze cannot explain what truly makes it such a gem. The har- mony in the Renaissance grandeur, the tranquillity of the Arno as it snakes under the Ponte Vecchio, the incredible food… Florence is a fairytale city that is blissfully real, a place that implores its visi- tors to return with an engrossing splendour that is also unsettlingly nonchalant. Go, take a walk, and Chris roebuCk
DOODLE OF THE WEEK you will understand. James Hansen Jethro thompson Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 15th 16th 17th 18th The Enemy Lost In Translation Dry The River corn exchanGe, 7.30pm, £17.50 WWW.camfm.co.uK, 8pm The JuncTion, 7pm, £10 With three top five albums under their cam fm brings you its weekly dose of Stratford’s finest folk collective bring belt, the “had enough” hitmakers’ songs the best of non-anglophone music. expect their brand of semi-acoustic jingles to are perfect for belting out with your diverse sounds and an insight into what cambridge. The band appeared on the friends on a Thursday night. expect it to the world is listening to. BBc Sound of 2012 longlist and could be an emerging talent. get lairy.
Shame Taken 2 Holy Motors corpuS chriSTi colleGe, 8pm, free vue, mulTiple ShoWinGS arTS picTurehouSe, 4pm in this term’s series of independent and This sequel to seminal thriller Taken sees an unmissable piece of cinema from foreign pieces of cinema, corpus films liam neeson on holiday in istanbul, maverick director leos carax fusing will be showing Shame, Steve mcQueen’s returning to what he does best – being reality and fantasty. Denis lavant stars celebrated portrait of sex addiction and exceptionally manly in tense and action- as a master of disguises in this series of dysfunctional siblings. packed movies. enjoy. stunning set pieces.
Masterclass in Playwriting Lord Giddens: Understand- ‘This House has No Confi- for Young Audiences ing Society dence in Her Majesty’s Gov- aDc TheaTre, 7:00pm; £8/7 camBriDGe union SocieTy; 7:30pm ernment’ natalie Wilson, artistic Director of Giddens speaks about the integral role camBriDGe union SocieTy; 7:30pm Theatre centre, gives a development communication plays in social evolution prominent political figures and fomer mp workshop for playwrights hoping to write from hunter-gatherers to today’s societies. lembit opik debate the current government. for audiences of younger age-groups.
Corpus Smoker The Last Five Years Sophie Scholl corpuS playroomS; 9:30pm; £6/5 corpuS playroom, 7pm; £6/£5 aDc TheaTre 11pm; £6/£5 The ideal opportunity to watch some Jason robert Brown’s unique two-hander The bravery of Sophie Scholl during the of cambridge’s newest comedic talent musical following the relationship of nazi regime has made her a worldwide perform live, helped by a dash of good Jamie and cathy comes to the intimate heroine. This first ever stage adaptation ol’ audience participation and the Smoker setting of corpus playrooms. of the successful German film will bring prizes up for grabs. her tragic story to the stage.
Food: Potato Smilies Music: The Beatles- Love Radio: Shaun Keaveny pre-Jamie oliver’s school dinner Me Do Who cares about moyles or Grimshaw, revolution, the best bit of any lunchlady’s 50 years ago this month, a little known it’s 6music that has the best breakfast slop were these bad boys. Treat yourself band from liverpool released a relatively show on the air. expect the latest and to some perfectly crisp ones and return simple bluesy number bar one genius hippest tunes and thankfully no comedy that grin to your face. harmonica riff. little did they know it Dave in sight. would change the world forever.
Joan Armatrading Kindling- Rut Rumboogie! Benjamin Francis Leftwich corn exchanGe, 7.30pm, £29.50 The JuncTion 3, 8pm, £8/£6 cinDieS, 10.30pm, £5 The JuncTion, 7pm, £12 ivor novello winning, Grammy and Brit night light Theatre present “an explosive The club known as Ballare brings back fresh from supporting noah & The award nominated songstress plays songs dance theatre experiment” developed the quintessential student night. There Whale on their uK tour, francis brings from throughout her career in this huge by two cambridge theatre makers which will be drink offers. There will be the nice his elliot Smith-inspired singer-songwriter uK tour. was taken to the edinburgh fringe bouncer. There will be the not-so-nice tracks to the Junction. festival. bouncer. choose wisely. Features Editors: Salome Wagaine & Sam Hunt 18 FEATURES OCTOBER 12 2012 What would you like to see in the paper? Let us know: features @varsity.co.uk FAIL TO THE CHIEF
Letter from America The story so far: the gaffes from the candidates for the 2012 USA Following a summer spent working for the Obama campaign ahead of the Presidential Election upcoming US elections, Phelim Brady details his time in Virginia, a swing state THE WORLD ACCORDING which looks set to play a deciding role in the upcoming presidential elections TO MITT ROMNEY •“ e fi rst response of the United States must be outrage at the breach e all remember the euphoria, of the sovereignty of our nation. And in America and much of apology for America’s values is never the the rest of the world that right course”: following attacks on the followed Obama’s election American consulate in Libya inW 2008. Like most of us, I was too young to take part in that campaign and that •“Everything corporations earn victory which changed the way so many ultimately goes to the people. Where do people view America. Echoing previous you think it goes? Whose pockets? Whose leaders such as JFK, Obama’s election pockets? People’s pockets. Human beings, seemed to herald a new era for America, my friend”: in response to a heckler at and for America’s relations with others. the Iowa State fair who suggested raising In particular, it united young people from corporation tax. countries across the globe with a sense that things would never be the same again. •“I’m not familiar precisely with exactly Since the start of my time at Cambridge what I said, but I stand by what I last year, I knew I wanted to visit the US said. Whatever it was”: speaking in to experience the presidential campaigns Jacksonville, Florida, in reference to his fi rsthand and to be involved with Obama’s discussion of the connection between re-election eff ort. Obama and the controversial preacher I wrote to the campaign in states across Rev. Jeremiah Wright the country asking if they would be prepared to have a foreigner campaign •“ ere are 47% of the people who with them. Understandably busy, some will vote for the president no matter took months to reply. But the reply from what. All right, there are 47% who are one state, Virginia, was immediate. “We’d with him, who are dependent upon be honored to have you”. Virginia is split, government, who believe that they are roughly, between a conservative south, and victims, who believe the government has a more moderate and left-leaning north, a responsibility to take care of them, oriented towards Washington DC. Obama’s who believe that they are entitled to 2008 victory in Virginia was the fi rst time a healthcare, to food, to housing, to you Democratic presidential nominee had won name it”: the infamous leaked 47% video. the state since the time of Lyndon Johnson Surprisingly, not mentioned by Obama 1 and so, unsurprisingly, Virginia has been Everywhere you look: Obamania on virtually all available surfaces in this Virginia campaign offi ce during the fi rst presidential debate. one of several closely watched battleground their time. Despite being a foreigner, Although Romney is a tough man to beat ‘He is such a great man, his VIEW FROM THE without a vote and without a clear stake in when it comes to the controversial and VOTER the election, I was welcomed into the homes mildly insulting public statement, Obama family is so beautiful. Why of many supporters and worked with them can’t be let off without a mention or two. to help create enthusiastic local teams of He may have stayed pretty clean so far won’t Congress let them act?’ think it’s very hard to really like campaigners, fully versed in the workings of in this 2012 campaign, especially in either one of the top two candidates. the Obama machine. contrast to his gaffe-prone rival, and yet states in this year’s contest. Republican Romney, right, seems too close to ‘big When I arrived I saw that a volunteer even this prim and proper, media-savvy super PACs and the Romney campaign Ibusiness’ for the everyday American to who had come before me had already added president is known for an awkward have poured tens of millions of dollars support him and his policies, frankly, ‘Brits 4 Obama’ to one of the many displays silence or two. into buying television ads in the state, and scare me, especially as a woman. 2 adorning the walls of the campaign offi ce. Obama and his donors have done much the Obama, while I support many more While one or two voters raised eyebrows IN THE WORDS OF OBAMA same. of his policies, has to make up for 1. Campaign central when they heard my accent, not a single I arrived in September, thinking that unfulfi lled promises last term. I thought in Virginia. other offi ce volunteer questioned why I •“When I meet with world leaders, what’s my time with the campaign would mainly Romney had truly lost the race when his 2. Mitt Romney was there or why I felt it so important to striking – whether it’s in Europe or here consist of knocking on doors and making ‘47%’ comments came out, but then his at the Republican contribute. in Asia...”: speaking at a conference phone calls, speaking with Democrat- less-than-eloquent win on the debate Convention. We all knew why we were there, putting outside Honolulu, Hawaii. leaning voters to make sure they came out fl oor last week has the political world 3. Obama: four more in 11-hour days six or seven days a to support Obama on election day. is abuzz about his increased chances of years? week. A young lawyer working two jobs, •” e Middle East is obviously an is the hard graft necessary in almost any an upset. If anything, the closeness of an accountant from Kenya, a veteran issue that has plagued the region for political campaign: identifying supporters, the race will encourage more voters to campaigner from Chicago in town for centuries”: speaking in Tampa, Florida persuading the undecided and then making participate, but I very much hope that 3 two weeks, a well-travelled humanitarian back in 2010. sure those people vote. is kind of voter Obama’s policies will not be reversed worker, an Australian over for three contact is particularly crucial in a state with a scary R-Money regime. months, students and graduates from •“What I was suggesting – you’re like Virginia, where the campaign strategy America, the Netherlands and others from absolutely right that John McCain has was clear: squeeze every last Democratic Alexandria Hall, MIT graduate Britain; the team was anything but unvaried not talked about my Muslim faith...” vote out of the northern cities in the hope and one of the best aspects of my time with – Obama had to be reminded of his that, as in 2008, the region’s Democrat the campaign was working alongside such Christian faith by presenter George supporters might outweigh the Republicans Much more of my time, however, was diff erent people. Stephanopoulos on ABC’s is Week in the rest of the state. spent in the campaign offi ce working Having to leave the campaign as is programme. While canvassing one Sunday I spoke at with the campaign’s voter database and reaching its peak has been painful. But I length with an elderly Latino woman who recruiting volunteers. Most rewarding know the team I was once part of will go on •“I’ve now been in 57 states – I think one said of Obama, “he is such a great man, was training others - other interns and trying to make a diff erence, trying to give left to go”: the President, presumably his family is so beautiful - Michelle, oh! local, neighbourhood volunteers - to ordinary people the power to organise in meant to say 47, and later that day Michelle! I pray for them every night. Why campaign and speaking to voters. their communities and to inspire and acknowledged his own mistake, joking won’t Congress let him act? ey won’t let ‘Community organising’ is fast excite their neighbours. about his ‘numeracy problem’. him change things”. She brought me the becoming an over-used phrase I know that the Latino woman photos she had of the President and told me in politics, but giving local I spoke to on that doorstep in •“In case you missed it, this week, there how she implores her neighbours to vote people the tools to campaign Virginia will still be there, day was a tragedy in Kansas. Ten thousand for him. e next day, I registered to vote a themselves, rather than relying after day, making the case for people died – an entire town destroyed.” man who realised that, despite having been excessively on outsiders and Obama with her family and e tornado he is referring to actually convicted of a misdemeanour, he still had professionals from diff erent friends. For her, Obama is killed 12 people. the right to cast his ballot in November. states, and even diff erent not the disappointment Before handing me his registration form he countries, is exactly what the some tell us he is; for her, •“You can’t change Washington from the made sure I was from the Obama campaign, Obama campaign tries to do. he still represents hope. inside”: at a rally in Sarasota, Florida last saying he wouldn’t trust a Romney It is not hard to see how a month. Although this remark was aimed volunteer with his information. Most of relationship with a neighbour and at praising public support for Obama’s all I was struck by the people who, even face-to-face conversations with healthcare reforms, many took this if they only passed me in the street while someone living on the same street as a personal confession of defeatism. canvassing, stopped to thank me for what I are much more eff ective tools, not Change we can still Romney later seized on the remark, was doing, without considering the fact that only to persuade people to vote, but believe in? suggesting that Obama should try things I was clearly not from Virginia. also to inveigle them to volunteer on the ‘outside’. Magazine Editors: Rory Williamson & Zoe Large Send us your photos for the magazine cover: [email protected] OCTOBER 12 2012 MAGAZINE 19
FEATURES, FILM, BOOKS, MUSIC, ART & REVIEWS
JETHRO THOMPSON Magazine Magazine Editors: Zoe large & rory Williamson 20 MaGazine OctOber 12 2012 Got something to add? let us know: [email protected] Put a Soc in it RoSie SeRgeant love Sundays. Art comes to the High Street Given the chaotic pace What can art bring to our recession-ruined shopping districts? Gabrielle Schwartz of life at finds the answers in new Cambridge project Changing Spaces ICambridge, I afford myself the luxury of taking the day at a blissfully slow pace: a long lie-in, catching up on trashy TV, reading the newspapers, enjoying a relaxed roast dinner. Not so, it seems, for members of the University Water Polo Squad, who sacrifice these pleasures in favour of a morning of training in the swimming pool. Dragging myself out of bed and lamenting the omnipresence of closed curtains in the rooms of my fellow students, I prepared myself to join in their exploits. Things didn’t get off to a winning start. Having not swum since my secondary school days (I prefer to lounge poolside, darling), I had entirely overlooked my lack of suitable attire for pool-based activities. I was forced to forgo breakfast and make a last-minute dash to John Lewis. I arrived in the nick of time, already red-faced and sweaty, only to discover that today the Varsity team trials were taking place. The captain, seeing the look of horror on my face, reassured me that there would be no pressure and we would take things easy. “Just twenty or so lengths to start off with, girls – no biggie,” she beamed. Halfway through my first, I was ready to faint with hunger, my legs had turned to jelly, and I had unintentionally swallowed copious amounts of water. With much coughing and spluttering, I reverted to doggy paddle. “Don’t worry – your technique’s great!” she reassured me, as I huffed and puffed my way to the shallow end. “It takes
a while to get back into the swing of ChriSta holka things – you should have seen me A space successfully changed: Hunt and Darton café Painting by Monica Umba when I got back to training after the vac!” Something tells me she was n Cambridge - a city so filled with emphasis therefore lies in a desire Anji tells me that in recent months, term-time and of other artists in the anything but the pathetic paddler I artistic individuals, flourishing to assist and provide a platform for Changing Spaces has been contacted holidays. Of Cambridge students, Anji was, longing for the comfort of my theatre and music scenes and a rich what Anji describes as the ‘cutting by numerous businesses and culinary says that ‘I would love to work with floats, woggles and – dare I say it? cultural history - contemporary edge of contemporary art’. As a non- enterprises asking to use a space. But any of them’, again driven by a desire to – armbands. Iart often seems to be distinctly absent. commercial project which focuses the project isn’t about getting rid of nurture more creative minds to enrich You see, water polo is played Cambridge art project Changing on emerging artists, it is a fresh and spaces or making huge profits: it’s the city’s culture. in deep water, and, to further Spaces is a notable exception. Chances welcome alternative from either hard enough procuring and keeping And indeed, once discovered, it complicate to matters, involves a are, however, you haven’t even heard of the established sites or commercial hold of spaces in the first place, and feels as though Changing Spaces has very specific style of treading water it, unless you have had the fortune of galleries that otherwise populate the organisers charge a very minimal succeeded in this enrichment. called the ‘egg-beater’, the ins and happening across one of their window Cambridge. I wonder if the use of fee for window space. Run entirely The exhibitions may not always outs of which got me thoroughly or pop-up exhibitions as you walk shop spaces is merely a gimmick, and by volunteers who also happen to be very well publicised or entirely scrambled. Keeping afloat is only through the city. if the enigmatic nature of the project be artists, they are passionate about successful, but it is their continuing part of the battle – there are various It is an exciting experience to preventing it from reaching its full continuing to discover and exhibit new presence which is to be valued. The manoeuvres, passes, catches and stumble upon these spaces, often in potential. As Anji points out, however, art, and find more spaces to fill with serendipity of happening across an goals to execute, as well as warding unexpected locations. One example contemporary art often alienates new exhibitions. unexpected trove of art is a delighting off opponents’ attempts to ‘dunk’ is a current showcase of student work exhibition-goers who are unfamiliar This is an intriguing premise, experience, a unique feature of you (thankfully, existing team from Cambridge School of Art in the with the traditional museum context. and what strikes me most about the Changing Spaces that makes it well members promised not to submit Grafton Centre, incongruously situated project is the sheer amount of work worth keeping an eye on. me to that treatment just yet, between Claire’s Accessories and the ‘In the open, non- and energy put into it by the directors. though I was given a bonnet with Orange shop. Another is a blink-and- They often play a large role in curating some rather hefty ear protectors to you’ll-miss-it window exhibiting textile exclusive domain of the exhibitions, particularly in the wear in case of any rough play…). work on Regent St. Locations magically the high street, people cases of non-professional artists cuRRent SPaceS I never thought I would last the appear and disappear, as the property- such as students currently exhibiting whole session, but somehow the owners find new commercial uses for feel free to enter and their work at the Grafton Centre. Grafton Centre team’s infectious enthusiasm won the shops. But the heterogeneous and Admittedly, I found this exhibition me over. My legs might have only fleeting nature of the exhibitions can explore the space’ lacking in professional polish or A pop-up gallery featuring a been capable of a gentle swish also leave the whole project shrouded interesting curation, but it nevertheless collaboration of artists from rather than the mighty egg-beating in obscurity. My curiosity piqued, I When art is located in the open, non- contained some interesting highlights. Cambridge School of Art. From of my teammates, but I managed sought to meet with one director of the exclusive domain of the high street, ‘Curating can make or break an Thursday 18th there will be a a couple of passes and even a shot project, artist Anji Main, to find out people might feel far freer to enter and exhibition’, Anji rightly points out, Masters printmaking show. on goal (easily saved, but, as the more about its fascinating story. explore the space. and it can be a sensitive task gauging perpetually smiley captain pointed So what exactly is Changing Spaces? The spaces can attract a weird and just how much assistance or control 5-7 Sussex Street out, “at least it was on target!”). I Founded in 2009 with a grant from the wonderful variety of exhibitions. One to give the exhibiting artists in their A window exhibition featuring returned home with a runny nose, City Council, it is a project designed example is performance installation temporary space. paintings by John Routledge. dripping hair and bloodshot eyes. to ‘creatively enhance our high street’ ‘The Fencing Project’, which with Originally funded by a one-off As my friends showed up in hall through a continuously changing cycle live choreographed fencing and a grant, and therefore not intended to 38 Regent Street bleary-eyed, I felt a sneaky sense of of exhibitions put on in empty shop projected backdrop of digital sport be permanent, Changing Spaces now A window exhibition at 38 Regent pride for having spent my morning spaces around Cambridge. ‘explore[d] the relationship between employs an expanded team of directors Street of A-Level textile projects engaging in such activity whilst they There are few criteria for live action and remote interaction, via who continue to seek out funding from Leys School. slept off last night’s beers. But next applications to exhibit, with an online the digital mediation of an invented and new spaces. One exciting future time, I won’t skip the Weetabix. form and an open policy designed to sport’. Or live art project, the ‘Hunt project is a studio space, sought in For more information on current/ encourage a diverse range of art, from and Darton café’, which merged art and conjunction with a Cambridge college, past/future exhibitions go to Rosie’s column is online weekly. professional live or performance art to enterprise to create a fully functioning which would provide a space to exhibit changing-spaces.org. student artists. Much of the project’s café. So successful was the café that the work of Cambridge students in Magazine Editors: Zoe Large & Rory Williamson Got something to add? Let us know: [email protected] OCTOBER 12 2012 MAGAZINE 21 Edward Johnson is disappointed by the Branding our writers chart-storming band’s lack of progression
As we approach authors with increasingly specific expectations, Mumford & Sons folk music and political agitation. Babel ere’s no anger at injustice here – Alice Boughton finds a danger in our urge to categorise just a faux-bucolic atmosphere and an ● If ‘Babel’ abundance of clichés: “Because I know suggests division my weakness, know my choice / But I n a recent visit to rather than an intellectual mind. I Twitter when they eat breakfast or visit and confusion believe in grace and choice.” Waterstones, I was aff ronted am able to ‘like’ my favourite authors the dentist (information which cult- – a cacophony e fi nal track ‘Not with Haste’ not only by the usual on social networks – in doing so, I producing writers like E. L. James are of competing fi nishes on a moment of resolution: hundred copies of the latest am not simply identifying them as so determined to share), the way that I voices – then it’s “And I will love with urgency / But not Ocraze book, but by a shelf of twenty representative of a type of writing, view their work will surely change. My a misleading title with hate”. Unfortunately, this fi nale other near identical texts. A banner but using this branding to try to interest is diverted towards their lives for the new Mumford & Sons album. lacks any sort of impact. ‘Babel’ is a informed me that if I had liked the summarise my own interests to my as social beings rather than the texts Listeners will fi nd no musical upheaval record devoid of urgency. original book, I would also enjoy the peers. As such, I wear the image of the themselves. or experimentation here. eir latest Musically, it’s the product of a band similarly-coloured, similarly-titled author like a clothing label to make Whilst interesting discussions of off ering is essentially a refi ned version that is quite happy to repeat what spin-off s around it. Ten minutes of my own statement. Even Shakespeare, an author’s personal opinions can of their debut, ‘Sigh No More’. e they’ve already accomplished. e browsing revealed most of these who reputedly utilised every major plot be inspiring (the BBC’s ‘My Life in glorious chaos promised by the title concluding song may close the album’s suggestions to be either follow-ons possible, must now be categorised, his Books’ is a lovely way to explore such is sadly absent. Admirers of their fi rst narrative neatly, but it brings to an end of the same book, or interchangeable works compartmentalised into neat intricacies), an overload of trivial album will certainly enjoy this new a story that lacks emotion. ere is no members of the same fad sub-genre. genres which allow us to anticipate information actually encourages us to collection of songs but those who value desire to evolve, there is no disorder Perhaps this is hardly surprising: the ending before the play has even take them less seriously. progression and innovation will be to rectify, there is no desperation in the need for repetition can be seen in begun. In our society, so accustomed ey ask us to engage on an disappointed. Babel. the prolifi c number of sequels which everyday, social level, instead of an e banjo-plucking and stomping dominate our shelves, guaranteeing the ‘Our interest is diverted intellectual one. Rather than actually drums that characterised their fi rst ‘There is no desire to same characters undergoing the same giving the impression that their record return in full force. Mumford escapades. A writer’s name, and indeed towards the author as a literature is of everyday importance, & Sons are clearly aware of what evolve, no disorder to now his or her photograph, becomes social being, away from they simply remind us that their made their debut so successful: those rectify, no desperation’ synonymous with one particular mode everyday activities are of none. We dramatic pauses and rousing outros of writing. e result is a stagnation the texts themselves’ expect interviews in which authors that proved so popular on Sigh No in stylistic or conceptual decisions. reveal the secrets of their inspiration More are commonplace in Babel’ e lyrical imagery focuses on Authors are forced to epitomise a to instant gratifi cation, fuelled by fast and their empathies with their An acoustic guitar and a lone voice reconstruction, but the album itself particular mode or set of ideas – to speed internet and one line Twitter characters, and they are quizzed about will suddenly be joined by banjo, brass appears to oppose this very sentiment: break out of this image, created often tags, we feel compelled to label even the events of their own lives which and strings to create a stirring fi nale. it seems that Mumford & Sons don’t by extensive and expensive publicity, our art; to ‘brand’ our authors as we prompted their book. Quite simply, they have mastered this feel that anything needs mending. can be challenging. do our clothes. We expect the same is expectation alters the way formula. Small variations in this well- Perhaps, in their eyes, nothing was ever Take the anticipation surrounding consistency of material as we would that we see their art; we expect to tested pattern allow the band to play broken. the release of J. K. Rowling’s fi rst adult from a yearly Jack Wills understand it in terms of the with expectation; in ‘Not With Haste’ But what’s wrong with making an novel. We have seen both excitement catalogue. author, and to be able to instantly they move into a half-time breakdown album that one knows their fans will and scepticism at the attempt of this Not only does such a identify what these terms are, just when fans will expect one of their enjoy? After all, giving pleasure to the author, who has defi ned young adult cult idolisation expect a rather than engaging with the signature bombastic climaxes. listener is surely what it’s all about? fi ction, to create a politicised, adult consistency of produce work with our own ideas, and But as with any musical formula, Any album has to perform a diffi cult social commentary. Author Joanna on the part of the writer for our own ends. repetition reduces its power. e balancing act: pleasing existing fans Penn, creator of ‘ e Creative Penn’ – in order for my public In turning authors into our album’s twelve tracks soon become whilst also displaying development. website, has herself stressed the stifl ing declaration to succeed ‘friends’, and their works into indistinguishable. e biblical imagery Unfortunately, Babel feels stagnant. eff ect of authorial branding. Problems in defi ning my own semi-biographical, neatly that dominates the lyrics quickly It’s hard to see where Mumford & are particularly prevalent amongst personality – but explained accounts, we becomes tiresome and only briefl y Sons can go from here – they have the unestablished writers, who feel the author’s use ask their art not to comes alive on the track ‘Broken capacity to create a stirring fi nale and especially strong fi nancial and social of social media challenge us, but Crown’ (“Now in this twilight / How can time a powerful pause perfectly, pressures to continue satisfying their also fabricates a rather to keep us dare you speak of grace”) when but how far can they take this? initial market. supposed social precisely within Marcus’ vocals show their potential e use of tracks from Sigh No Whilst this diffi culty is not a tie between our comfort zones. ferocity. More on adverts hasn’t helped – we’ve particularly novel concept, the reader and However, aside from the occasional become more or less immune due to expansion of social media and creator. Once moment, Babel is all sound and no constant exposure. Development is television is now encouraging us to I am able to Rowling: breaking fury. It’s an album that clamours for needed and hopefully their third album attach these brands to the authors ‘friend’ a writer, out of the teenage nothing. One feels this all the more will bring this. themselves: to make them a personality and to view on brand strongly because of the link between ● Available now, Island Records.
THE COMIC LEWIS WYN Reviews Editors: Dominic Kelly & Ella Griffi ths 22 MAGAZINE OCTOBER 12 2012 Got something to add? Let us know: [email protected]
RoryMusical Williamson talks Therapy: to Brooklyn singer-songwriter Sharon Sharon Van Van Etten, currently Etten touring her new record Tramp, about musical development, acknowledging darkness and moving on from it through music
oofy” was never a word I starting out with an ex who really opened up diff erent avenues for in a diff erent little world.” Songwriting, expected to use in describing wasn’t supportive of my music, and emotional expression: her recent then, seems to be a natural part of Brooklyn singer-songwriter going into relationships in which increase in volume has been part her life, an outpouring from the Sharon Van Etten; yet here people were much more supportive of “allowing myself to be more “little world” inhabited at particular Gshe is, laughing off a catastrophe than I was used to. It’s been both a aggressive. I started with more of a moments. Indeed, she was unaware of involving a lot of melted butter in her progression as a person and in music: whisper and now I’m not afraid to a move away from the more insularly tour van and claiming, “I’m actually my confi dence level has improved shout, just to be loud. It’s a diff erent personal lyrics of previous records: a really happy, goofy person in real since I started writing, but also in form of catharsis.” “I’m not the kind of person who sits life. Sometimes people forget that terms of my life, the content I’m down and writes a record yet; I write part: I’m singing these songs from the writing about isn’t so sad anymore. I’m ‘I started with more of a as I go and then I fi nd songs that make perspective of a particular moment, allowing myself to feel other emotions sense together.” but in reality I’m this goofball.” that I wasn’t really doing before.”” whisper and now I’m not One connective thread is writing Her live performances bear out is increased confi dence is afraid to shout’ as a therapeutic exercise: “I write her claim: in between the weighty, everywhere in evidence in her latest when I’m going through a really hard melancholic songs for which she has work, with part of her aim being “to time, because I don’t know how to been justly lauded, Van Etten peppers show that I can write about all these is increase in variety and understand it yet.” her set with hilarious tour stories and other things, I can play these other confi dence was aided by a rotating Her focus is not simply confessional, even winning impersonations (her instruments, I have more than one cast of collaborators: e National’s though; it’s more hopeful than and mentally abusive relationship Tom Cruise, as it turns out, is spot emotion.” Aaron Dessner produced the record, that, driven by progression and becomes a means toward increased on). “I’m not this dark, brooding is narrative of whilst she enlisted friends including learning from experience rather than strength and positivity. goth or anything.” After any time personal and musical Julianna Barwick and Beirut’s Zach wallowing. With time and repeated Another element of the past she in her company, this becomes development even Condon to lend their voices to various live performances, she says, comes continues to acknowledge and learn very clear. extends to her live set: tracks. ough she still writes “from a growth: “I didn’t know at the time that from is her DIY beginnings as an While this lightness “we try to do a kind very closed environment,” Van Etten the songs weren’t just about me, but I artist: though the days of self-recorded of touch does come as a of autobiographical now leaves her songs “a lot more open, write all the time about friends, family CDs with hand-written lyrics may surprise, it’s undeniable that set, where we rather than having something in mind about other things outside romance. be long gone, it’s important to Van her latest release, Tramp, play old songs when I go into the studio. “I defi nitely reanalyse the situation Etten to remember “how organically saw a broadening in both in amongst the “What I learned from writing on every time I sing the song, and I’m in a things really happened for me. I don’t emotional and sonic palettes. new to create a this last record with Aaron is that, diff erent mindset every time I perform want to lose sight of that. ings are e transition from the more interesting when you leave people to their own them. I’m still learning from songs starting to get a little crazier than introspective, hushed folk dynamic.” devices because you respect what they that I wrote years ago, still getting to I had anticipated, and so it’s really of her debut album Because e larger do, and let them run wild on the songs understand what they mean and how grounding to remind yourself that it I Was In Love to the full, band she and show their own strengths, it will they aff ect me. It took me a couple of all started because people cared about varied arrangements now help the songs become new.” years to realise one of my older songs your music and who you were.” on Tramp was, she plays Diversity is one of Tramp’s primary is about my parents – I’m just not What might have seemed like says, a natural with strengths, one that isn’t solely down always aware at the time.” insularity becomes communal in Van progression. “I have to Van Etten’s collaborators. e title Music, then, can be a way of Etten’s hands; the personal becomes a really think my also alludes to the fact that she essentially “writing about a negative situation and means not only of connection but also personal life had no fi xed home for the year during getting out of it. It’s important to feel of growth and movement beyond the has paralleled which it was recorded; working with sadness and acknowledge it, but also isolated self. my career a lot: Dessner meant the clashing of “crazy to move on from there.” “It was all about connecting with schedules,” and the “only constant” is resolution can be heard on people, having a conversation and “A really goofy became “going back to the studio. at songs like ‘Love More’, from her creating intimacy. No matter how person in real life”: was our home.” second album Epic: through the I write or where I am, I have to Sharon Van Etten As a result, “each song was written lyrics, suff ering from an unstable remember that.”
THIS WEEK ONLINE Marianne Brooker is seriously underwhelmed by J.K. Rowling’s new novel Hannah Wilkinson discusses the craze of retromania, from ● For me, J. K. and pretension; there is little character predictable and, at least in their exe- parentheses or, at worst, by inconsist- Instagram to Steampunk... Rowling embodies development, and what there is could cution, banal. Without spoiling the ent dialect; there is no subtlety, no a memory of wiz- be written by anyone else in touch with ending, I persevered hoping that it was mystery, and, despite often terrifying nd this is when we went ards past; I read modern stereotypes. here that I would fi nd the method and content, the novel is more grey comedy cycling in France...” the fi rst four Harry What makes it ‘adult fi ction’ is the that loose ends would be satisfacto- than it is black, more Eastenders than I peer over at the iPhone. Potter books as a incessant, often unrealistic swearing, rily tied up; perhaps here the violent tragedy. ACourtesy of her favourite app, child and then lost the rough sex, the heroin, the relent- actions and dubious writing would cul- The over-arching narrative is Instagram, my friend and her interest a little. less nastiness and the occasional use of minate in something good. It didn’t. not the “frilly tablecloth of polite boyfriend stare back up at me from The Casual While this is words like ‘obstreperous’. While Rowl- Rowling has crammed too fi ction” woven by the characters in behind a yellow fi lter. Vacancy probably a damn- ing seems eager to explore important much into one novel and as a result, their own lives, but nor is it hard “When did you go, 1967?” J.K.Rowling ing confession, I social and political issues, the writing she has lost any sense of individual- hitting, tender or even particularly “Last Tuesday.” imagined this is often hard to reconcile with these ity or purpose. The novel switches interesting. We know that drug addicts I knew that. I was being would make for weighty ambitions. quickly from one character to another and rape victims live horrendous lives; facetious. Starting life as a humble a fair reading of e Casual Vacancy. Between these two covers lies almost or from one house to another, creat- we know that villages can be insular, social networking site in 2010, However, as I ploughed through the fi ve everything that is wrong with humanity, ing a style which has the potential to gossip- ridden, that their inhabitants Instagram has now blossomed hundred and three page tome, I realised yet it off ers no meaning, no explana- broaden the scope of a can be frustrated and repressed; we into a huge phenomenon, with 100 that the novel is lacking in much more tion or motivation, and no real point. novel, but here cre- know that local politics can be more million users. If Retromania looks than magic. Rowling’s working title was ‘Responsi- ates a strange vicious and selfish than Cabinet at the world through rose-tinted e book is a very strange manifesta- bility’, and while I’m glad she opted for kind of meetings. spectacles, Mark Zuckerberg, new tion of the freedom that Harry Potter claustrophobia. Rowling’s latest book does nothing owner of the company, just bought has bought Rowling. She is a self-con- ‘Sadly, the novel is more Changes of but regurgitate these snippets which the lenses. fessed ‘moral writer’, although her latest perspective literature has taken for granted for I should be exactly the customer work is far from the ‘retelling of the grey comedy than it is are explic- years. At its best, the book is commer- they’re looking for, snapping away Communist Manifesto’ that it has been black, more Eastenders itly marked cial fi ction that will sell. While it poses like it’s 1939. After all, I spent dubbed by e Telegraph. by italics or questions when it has no real desire to much of my childhood obsessed Had it been, it might have had more than tragedy’ answer them, it is certainly a good yarn with the idea of being evacuated to to off er, by being more provocative or at in parts. some idyllic village to have twee, least a little more profound. is state- something a little less self- However, at its worst, it merely props vintage adventures, ration book of-England novel is a confused one: it’s righteous, this idea and all up the hardened and dangerous per- in hand. But now that there’s an been likened to a nineteenth century the prejudices it embodies spectives one hopes that Rowling was app that can make my photos look pastoral, a murder mystery, political haunt the book. attempting to break down. It feels as like that’s what I spent my day polemic, dark teen fi ction. Rowling Everyone here has their though she just enjoys writing about doing, suddenly I’m not so keen. never quite seems sure of what she’s agenda: the over-burdened bad things and their bad repercussions, Recent incursions of Retromania writing or who she’s writing for. social worker, the stuffy with no real willingness to challenge into modern life make me deeply For all that it touches on a critique of middle classes, the Indians, or change the status quo. After fi ve uncomfortable. a disenchanted modernity, the work as a the child- beaters, the teach- hundred and three pages, e Casual whole is a muddle. is story of a sleepy ing staff and the misunderstood Vacancy becomes exactly that: fl ippant Read the rest at www.varsity.co.uk English town and a neighbouring coun- teenagers. and empty. cil estate is a sturdy fortress of cliché Sadly, they are all stiflingly LIZZIE MARX ●Little Brown Book Group, £20.00 Reviews Editors: Ella Griffiths & Dominic Kelly Fancy writing reviews? Get in touch: [email protected] OctObeR 12 2012 Magazine 23
Busy Doing nothing Claire healy
et involved!” Two words to strike Gfear in the hearts of the perennially idle everywhere – but perhaps especially those of us in Cambridge. Last week I ventured into the unknown landscape of the Freshers Fair, batting off societies who were desperate for me to “get involved”, only for me to balk under the pressure and opt to get some pizza instead. It was too much too soon, and with so little talent to go on, I was just going to have to find a smaller stage on which to shine. How about the JCR? The Junior Combination Room is not just a room, but rather the board of students who represent our views at college and university level. If you want to make a stand around here, you’re going to have to approach a few of these fleece-wearing folks first. I however have never been tempted to “get involved” with our JCR, for a number of reasons: reasons we can probably place under a general header of “trust issues.” The JCR are here to help. Would you trust somebody who legitimately circulates that kind of sentiment? We need only glance at the facts and figures of CUSU’s recent condom scheme to feel a little worried. Better to be busy doing something than busy doing nothing, but I’m not sure that approaching my final year with the mentality of a wanton rabbit is really the answer. Back to the JCR, then, and between free biscuits, attack Now we’ve taken those first alarms and sanitary towels, I’m intrepid steps up the staircase wholly unconvinced. But as I of term, who knows what lies around found myself on the wrong side the corner? With deadline pests to of a JCR treasurer in a Superhero contend with, things costume last Tuesday, I had to could spiral out of control. concede that maybe the JCR are only human after all. I love bops. Every week, Varsity will feature There ain’t nothing wrong with a a variety of pictures of architecture little bump and grind (as the 100 from around Cambridge. Want free condoms in your pigeonhole to see your work in the paper? will demonstrate) and there ain’t Staircases Next week’s theme is ‘bridges’; nothing wrong with a little bop email your contributions to and grind, either. I say this with all [email protected]! the youthful abandon of a shiny- Top to bottom, L to R: Annabel Crowther, Clare Cotterill, Clare Cotterill, June Tong, Clare Cotterill, Clare Cotterill, Clare Cotterill nosed fresher because I have never actually paid for the privilege. Whether it was through secret underground passages, hiding under the pool table or just batting Harry Jackson admires a new science-fiction film that balances its deeply moral JCR members out of my goddamn message with high-quality storytelling and plenty of adrenaline-fuelled action way, my three pounds has remained firmly in my pocket. Having dismissed the rumoured ‘security clampdown’ as just ● Much like most rural home of a strange and compli- being mistaken as celebratory. a solution. While it is a rather unhip another untrustworthy ruse, I was time-travelling cated mother and son. For director Rian Johnson, violence film in this regard that takes itself more surprised to find my usual path science-fiction Whether or not the plot bends to lies at the heart of our society. It’s a seriously than the Johnson’s widely- blocked. A hop, skip and a quick dramas, whether easy summary, this story is told excep- mechanism we are forced to use to pro- loved debut Brick, the conclusion is “is that a fresher making off with it be the recent tionally well on the screen. It treats its tect ourselves, our property and our nonetheless incredibly satisfying. On your societies budget?” was all it Duncan Jones- audience with respect and trust while all levels, the film lends itself to easy took. My triumph was shortlived, directed Source eschewing the long-winded exposi- ‘This is a deeply moral recommendation, as a weighty and as somewhere between Gangnam Code or even the tions found in recent high-concept sophisticated piece of storytelling that Style and Beyoncé I felt two taps mindbreaking films by diving straight into the busi- film, albeit with a fair is well performed throughout. on my shoulder. “Excuse me, but Lost episode ‘The ness of good, immersive storytelling. whack of incidental Joseph Gordon-Levitt, in particular, you haven’t paid for the bop.” My Constant’ this The narrative unfolds with great pace gives an exceptionally fine performance assertion that there were others film’s plot is really and presents the viewer with a large excitement’ that conveys the emotional develop- who hadn’t paid was futile: “Yes, but Looper rather complex. Set number of unexpected, but purpose- ment of his character despite working I don’t know them, and I do know Rian Johnson in the near-future, ful, surprises. Despite dragging ever so loved ones. It has tainted society so under heavy make-up. you.” Punished for my popularity! it involves Joseph slightly around its third quarter, this deeply that the invention of time travel The near future is convincingly ren- Penalized for being a woman of Gordon-Levitt is more than excusable given that this – an invention with obvious potential dered by Steve Yedlin’s competent the people! It would appear I have being tasked with section introduces much of the the- to do good – merely creates another cinematography and the production already been inadvertently “getting executing his future self (Bruce Willis) matic weight of the picture and lends means of committing murder. design is both believably futuristic and involved” with our JCR without who is sent back in time from the future the film its moral complexity. As such, Johnson must be com- familiar. Its plot probably has more even realising it. I emerge from by the mob. His future self escapes and At its core, this is a deeply moral film, mended for not merely wallowing in holes than a sieve – all time-travelling Week 2 three pounds poorer, then, seeks to pre-emptively kill the person albeit with a fair whack of incidental the observation that violence is wide- stories do – but it serves its purpose as but certainly a little wiser. The JCR: who will eventually be responsible for excitement. There is very little chance spread and negative. Instead, he actually a framework for providing a compel- they get you in the end. the murder of his wife, while Gordon- of its violence, which is unquestionably attacks the issue by offering ideas of ling treatment of violence. Levitt waits for him to come to the presented in an aestheticised manner, agency and personal responsibility as ● Now showing at Cambridge Vue Magazine Editors: Zoe Large & Rory Williamson 24 MAGAZINE OCTOBER 12 2012 Got something to add? Let us know: [email protected] Jim Ross finds this adaptation of Stephen Chbosky’s novel surprisingly enjoyable, fresh and sincere
● e Perks Of Being greenhouse in the wake of a deeply the young leads all pull them off with fi lm as whole, much rests on A Wallfl ower feels traumatic summer (for reasons not aplomb and freshness. A standout is the dynamic between Charlie very familiar. You made explicit to begin with, at the very Ezra Miller, a young man destined and Sam. In this regard, Logan could be forgiven least). Lerman’s performance is for thinking this was However, he fi nds companionship ‘That special type of superb in selling his character’s because of stock teen in fi nal year half-siblings Sam (Emma transfi xion with the most characters and their Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller), young woman you only thinly written character; Emma predictable traits, but joining their gang of misfi t friends, seem to encouter in Watson’s Sam. The Perks of that would be unfair (think one step up from Inbetweeners). Sam is that special type of Being A to this darkly sincere is helps him to blossom socially, but independent cinema’ young woman you only seem Wallfl ower fi lm.Whilst Stephen brings it own challenges – not least to encounter in independent Channel 4 Chbosky’s adaptation that of containing his feelings for the for critical acclaim. Following up his American cinema. She loves of his own novel has transfi xing Sam. It feels like we’ve seen simply astounding performance in e Smiths, and openly talks about e narrative moves along well, some issues, it feels a lot of these characters before, but We Need To Talk About Kevin, Miller how cool they are (something I even if it does perhaps meander familiar because he has captured a does an excellent maintain folks like me shouldn’t do around the middle in excessive great deal of the universal adolescent job portraying the until they are at least 23). deference to the book. Although it experience in a character-driven fi lm. engaging mix of She loves Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ intuitively requires a third-act acceleration when Logan Lerman stars as Charlie, an confi dent wisdom (quite how this group of youngsters examining the reason for Charlie’s emotionally troubled youngster who and personal born, presumably, in the late 1970s fragile mental state, the balance of the insecurity in know Morrissey but not Bowie is a personal character story and a more ‘Captures the universal the extroverted minor quibble). She buys typewriters relatable one on the general adolescent Patrick. Much is for guys she likes. We’ve listened to this experience is admirable. At once, adolescent experience in down to Chbosky’s broken (vintage vinyl) record before. the fi lm captures the world-ending a character-driven fi lm’ writing as well, of Fortunately, Watson shows some minutiae, the transient feeling of a course, but in the potential as an actress beyond social circle, and the undefi ned future has just begun high school in the early wrong hands the Hogwarts, and manages to sell this as a source of both boundless optimism 1990s. To get through his testing days character could archetype with a confi dent but and crushinganxiety. as classic outsider and wallfl ower of easily have slipped humble performance, which makes us ● Now showing at Cambridge Vue and the title, he writes unsent letters to a into caricature. understand why the younger Charlie Arts Picturehouse, multiple showings per ‘friend’ as he navigates the adolescent However, for the could become so enamoured. day, call 0871 902 5720.
Jonathan Booth finds lots to laugh at in Fresh Meat – but does it really manage to represent the regimens of student life? Eurydice
● e fi rst series it is unsurprising that wistful critics self-conscious tinge to proceedings Paris-Falcon of Fresh Meat cooed over the fi rst series. e whole that mean it’s hard to care about what was a little hard show reeks of reminiscence: from happens to the characters. Whilst Hello once again, my friends and advanced mental gymnastics: I to get into this peculiar phallic graffi ti to awkward characters like JP, the condescendingly foes (as Andy Warhol probably didn’t get pooled, if you know what time last year, at morning-after conversation, it hardly brilliant ‘posh one’ played by Jack once said, making enemies shows I mean. Which you might not, if least for me. A makes for escapist viewing for current Whitehall, are almost too familiar to that you dress well). So freshers’ you’re not the sharpest tool in the fresher watching a students between bouts of Cindies and Cambridge students, the rest are faux- week is over and term has begun in Churchillian shed). bunch of freshers desperate essay deadlines. lovable cardboard cutouts. propriesis, as they say in the Classics e best way to decide which being comically Nevertheless, the raison d’être is in Perhaps it’s expecting too much to faculty, and amidst the hangovers curriculus extraris activities to awkward was a the script. Written by Jesse Armstrong hope for a sitcom which captures the and comedowns (obviously I myself attend with a blasé attitude and a little too meta in and Sam Bain, the creators of Peep self-seeking loneliness that goes with prefer only the fi nest of illegal slight smirk that suggests to the Fresh Meat those mysterious Show, there are so many beautiful one- being a student, but it still feels like substances. Everyone knows drugs casual observer that you’re on a Channel 4 times. With both liners it’s hard not to fall in love. there is a massive gap in the market make you look cool and alcohol higher plane is wikipediaing myself and the What Peep Show did, though, was that Fresh Meat could have fi lled. makes you look like a virgin or a the famous alumni that series comfortably to nail the comedy, tragedy and above Watching student life through the football fan) your inboxes and used to saunter through in our second years, the show’s light all inanity of post-university, pre- eyes of nostalgic graduates at least timetables will be fi lling up with the Cantabridgian entertainment is easier to watch; middle age life. Above and beyond teaches us one thing: you don’t learn essay deadlines and canned cobbles in Russell not groundbreaking stuff exactly, the awkward scenes and fantastic any grand life lessons at university, and precooked meat product and Bromley nor anything special for a student dialogue, there isn’t the same sense ultimately an hour’s laughter is worth from all the societies that brogues that you audience, but one of the few decent that Armstrong and Bain have its weight in gold. For that alone, I’ll be you still haven’t managed to yourself would British sitcoms on television right now. captured student life in Fresh Meat. tuning in next week. leave the mailing lists of. like to follow in the Written by 30-something-year-olds, Sure, it avoids the Skins-treatment of ● Channel 4, Tuesday, 10pm, also Obviously only post- hoof prints of. largely for 30-something-year-olds, sex and drugs, but there is an all too available on 4oD grads are actually at If this isn’t enough to Cambridge to focus on clarify what the thinking their degrees rather than choice of society is, develop glamorous sleep simply avoid joining James Hansen takes on Muse’s latest schizophrenic LP and habits and make friends anything. In particular, with people who know eschew the dangerous commends them for their bravery, despite a few misfires other people you want waters of sport with a people who look at your fi rm hand. ● About 55 best with Bellamy’s vocal fl ourishes ese moments do not cover for Facebook profi le to think e stash is only good seconds into and a horn section completing a the frankly boring middle section of you’re friends with, so the if you’re a Blue: wearing ‘Animals’, Matt glorious, exuberant demonstration of the album: a potent example of Muse key thing to focus on at Fruit of the Loom serves only Bellamy sings resting on their admittedly titanic this point in the term is to mark you out as someone who an insidious ‘There are fanfares of laurels. ese are songs devoid of deciding which societies doesn’t smoke and commits with boardroom development and nuance, qualities to honour with your enthusiasm to something that mantra: “Analyse… true inspiration, and the which Muse so frequently display on precious time. doesn’t involve having an amusing Advertise… sheer magnifi cence and a grandiose scale. e pair of closing I myself am very busy pop culture cover photo. Similarly, Expand…” e tracks are more successful experiments most of the time: I barely charity is dull. People only join RAG Muse 2nd Law, though, scale is sublime’ than the ‘Exogenesis’ denouement to have time to think about when they run out of interesting The 2nd Law follows this trend: a e Resistance, with that dub drop in thinking. ings to do, things to talk about. paralysing dubstep just what Muse can do on form. the former and a bell-like piano motif people to see, things I myself have yet to commit to trailer detailing ‘Madness’ is a beautiful crescendo in the latter allowing Bellamy to tick to do in a prominent LIZZIE MARX anything concrete, society-wise: I thermodynamics followed by what is of acceptance of love’s irrationality, off those fi nal two boxes on his genre- way that means people prefer to fl oat in the ether of the an unmistakable widening of Muse’s as Bellamy croons that he has “fi nally bending clipboard. can see me doing them. extracurricular like titillating already Ulysses-esque horizons. realised what you mean” over an e 2nd Law does prove that Muse As I’ve said before, politics is tumbleweed. Retention of bombast and the electronic bass dub before giving can resist musical entropy: there really just an excuse for un-trust- If in doubt, it’s best to follow introduction of new musical energies way to a linear, jerky guitar solo, airy are fanfares of true inspiration, and fund worthy people in questionable my example and remember that (thus preventing the entropy that e backing vocals and a fi nal, desperate the sheer magnifi cence and scale is sheepskin coats to complain about it’s better to socialise than join a 2nd Law discusses) would be a fi tting wail loaded with genuine yearning. sublime. But, considering that the Startrite centres being closed society: the true socialiste (if you’ll showcase for Matt Bellamy, Chris is is without doubt a swelling, sheer amplitude of the ambition here down or something, but the whole excuse my French) is one who Wolstenhome and Dom Howard’s pulsating album at its fi nest points, invites insuffi cient attention to detail, large society idea is applicable to devotes time to careful cultivation unquestionable talents, proven as it is channelling the rugged grandeur of it is hard to suggest that Muse will Cambridge: some societies are of personal charm, not Amnesty on few tracks. the sublime and almost makes up for never bow to musical entropy without bigger than others (apologies if International. ‘Panic Station’ carries an undeniably Muse’s lazy headbangs to Led Zeppelin revisiting what has made them the I’ve lost some of you here with my Yawn. Flea-like groove, channelling the (Muse don’t do nods) on the James force that they are. Chillis at their bass-slapping, rapturous Bond-esque ‘Supremacy.’ ● Available now; Warner Bros, £14 Art Editor: Naomi Pallas Seen something beautiful recently? Tell me [email protected] OctOber 12 2012 MAgAzinE 25
“War: The Exile PhoebeThe Lindsley dawn is intrigued of by a the new Tate Modern’s museum newest addition, Theera Tanks and The Rock
Lis RhodEs, TATE ModERn t the beginning of May, Chris Limpet” Dercon, Director of the A CLOSER LOOK AT ART Tate Modern, spoke at the Union, offering his vision of Athe art gallery’s future. He spoke of he Exile and The Rock the development of his own museum Limpet’ is a painting by JMW and the opening under his tenure of Turner, designed to be hung The Tanks at Tate Modern. This new Talongside companion piece, ‘Peace: exhibition space caters to the specific Burial at Sea’, it shows Napoleon – needs of performance, video, and indeed, it was painted in the year his sound art; a space for any art that you ashes returned to France – in exile might label alternative, avant-garde or on the island of St. Helena. unconventional. The lonely figure stands on the The Tanks were opened to the island, emphasising the disgrace of public on July 18th, and are the first in Napoleon’s death – particularly a line of ambitious new extensions at poignant when compared to ‘Peace’. Tate Modern. So called because they The sister painting sees Turner’s were originally oil tanks in Bankside friend David Wilkie’s dignified Power Station, you take a sharp right death depicted in a calm, cool turn from the Turbine Hall and you’re palette – striking when compared in front of The Tanks. The space to the violent reds and oranges has a comfortable, trendy-urban- of ‘War’; in verses on the reverse warehouse-pop-up-boutique aesthetic of the canvas, Turner echoes the without looking tired. Choosing sentiment, calling the sunset a “sea to project titling and info onto the of blood”. However, Turner does not concrete surfaces is appropriate to the fully demonise Turner, but merely space, certainly better than print. suggests the futility of conflict, Yes, these are dark galleries. You’ll Sehgal consisting of ‘live encounters’ over before they have even begun? you cannot put it into a gallery to be and the pointlessness of war. The inevitably stumble through it, tripping between people walking up, down Perhaps they shouldn’t be making any reenacted again and again. A lot of two main titles of the paintings – over snaking wires, manoeuvring and through the space – just the kind distinction at all, mixing all different performance art gains its excitement, ‘War’ and ‘Peace’ – are depicted around piles of people watching on of The Tanks: Art in Action aims to media together and allowing the public danger and value from the unexpected as abstract concepts, summarised the floor. There are no obvious labels: display on a permanent basis. to order it all in their own minds, places it is performed in. Perhaps by colour, brushstroke and tone; of course, it would be too dark to read The fact that many of the pieces The Tanks raise many questions having a dedicated space for this kind no actual event or set place can be them, leaving you with just the work within The Tanks, namely those about the display of art, the relation of of work sanitises it, making it less found within them. of art to look at; otherwise you must belonging to the permanent collection, the work of art to the space it is viewed natural and more forced. In a purpose When the exhibition was huddle about the explanatory signs of were created during the 70s and 80s in and the subsequent experience of built space some works of art flounder. originally shown, contemporary the entrance, distant from the works are a reminder that performance art, the audience. The decision to mark The Tanks at Tate Modern do have critics criticised the pieces for themselves. The entire Tanks area video art and sound art are hardly out these galleries specifically for heaps of good things going, despite their lack of finish and decorum: stands in marked dark contrast to new phenomena. The expansion and performance, video and sound art and these criticisms. The variety that The Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine the white galleries above it, with the diversification of the types of media to make them so different to the rest Tanks provides – getting you outside dismissed ‘War’ as “a greater neutral Turbine Hall mediating the used to create works of art is decidedly of the museum draws attention to the the bloody White Cube – is refreshing. absurdity than ever”. Another critic space between them. twentieth century. Why did we have experience of seeing art in a way that is It is a good thing to have as many described the depiction of Napoleon The Tanks fill a space in the to wait until the second decade of the too often forgotten. The Tanks do well different ways of seeing art as possible. as “truly ridiculous”. However, in museum left by the closure of the 21st century for a national, mainstream to draw your attention to it. A gallery Best of all, this exhibition is not too big, Modern Painters, Ruskin expressed Unilever series. This hugely successful museum to open a space built for manipulates and directs the viewer’s too taxing or too confrontational. It his liking for “the glowing scarlet changing display of videos, slides, this kind of art? Were they waiting eye as much as the supermarket does: is a fun, bitesize introduction into the and gold of Napoleon and Slave sculptures and sunflower seeds inside for the British public to finally accept leaving expensive items at eye level, long established world of ‘alternative’ Ship”. the enormous vacuum of the Turbine art made without paint or canvas? making cheaper ones harder to find. art. It has certainly been missing from Naomi Pallas Hall was one of the most memorable Alternatively, could it suggest that Tate Many of the pieces that the tanks school trips on a wet Wednesday and exciting moments in a Tate Modern is not really doing anything aim to show in changing displays are afternoon for far too long. “The Exile and the Rock Limpet” is Modern visit. The series culminated groundbreaking? It’s late. It’s past it. meant to be ephemeral, temporary or ● The Tanks are open daily at owned by the Tate, London with a performance piece by Tino It’s already passé. Are The Tanks are spontaneous. If the art is in the action the Tate Modern , London
TATE, 2011 Jon Sanders checks out Kettle’s Yard’s latest offering, and discovers an alternate reality in the trappings of daily life
● Jim Ede, founder of Kettle’s Yard, brush and paint is evident – but in are small, and so whilst stepping in said that Winifred Nicholson “taught that a more abstract raw material, closer to view ‘Seascape’– simply [him] much about the fusing of art and Nicholson’s thinking, is alien. The to distinguish colours and lines – a daily living”. Yet, as I wander through paintings are scenes of an alternate rushing mass of paint rose like a wave the new exhibition of Nicholson’s reality. in the corner of my eye. It is this arching paintings in Ede’s gallery, I wonder The exhibition puts this unfamiliar confidence, and not ‘music of colour’, what exactly ‘daily living’ refers to: the quality down to the ‘Music of Colour’, or surprising harmony of perspective, works are in no way realistic. They and Nicholson’s construction of which is the painting’s centre-piece. are not realistic – not because they tones is certainly interesting: an What surrounds the minute wave depict fantasy – but because they seem apparent orange is upon inspection of boldness is paintings which leave created from entirely unfamiliar raw scarlet, flesh-pink and turquoise. But me feeling unsure. I am uncertain as material. Not ‘unfamiliar raw material’ what is most intriguing about the to how to receive work so ostensibly in a physical sense – the activity of paintings is their perspective – or lack familiar, but so undefinably strange. I KETTLE’s YARd, UniVERsiTY oF CAMBRidGE thereof. Backgrounds are sometimes want someone to explain to me that indeterminate (as in ‘White Saxifrage’); Nicholson was insane, or experienced other times they resolve after a few an uncommon form of synaesthesia transformative seconds of inspection – anything that might explain her – as seen in the blue obelisk in paintings’ imperceptibly alien quality. ‘Daffodils and Hyacinths in a Norman And as I leave, I find the oddity I have Window’. Sometimes lines and shapes been missing: in a neglected niche of lacking depth appear irreconcilable the gallery there is a large photograph with burrowing perspective (subtly of the artist looking frightened, in ‘Flowers’ and more strikingly in anxious, as if I am a dangerous animal ‘Seascape’) yet are ultimately not that has trespassed upon her woodland “War: The Exile and the Rock Limpet”, Joseph Mallord William incoherent. These perspectival setting. Turner, oil paint on canvas, exhibited 1842 with the lines: exercises are varyingly effective and I feel that she has been watching me disappointing across the exhibition. as I looked at her paintings, worried ‘Ah! thy tent-formed shell is like Nicholson did not experiment in about what I might think, worried that A soldier’s nightly bivouac, alone texture, and the exhibition testifies to she might be this creature’s critical Amidst a sea of blood this fact. Having said that, undoubtedly dinner. but you can join your comrades’ ● “daffodils and hyacinths in a norman the single most arresting phenomenon ‘Winifred Nicholson: Music of —Fallacies of Hope Window”, Winifred nicholson in the paintings is one instance of Colour’ runs at Kettle’s Yard until 21st textural audacity: Nicholson’s works December Theatre Editor: Fred Maynard 26 TheaTre OctOber 12 2012 Did our critics get it right? let us know: [email protected] stage door emma wilkinson
ike me, Flintlock Theatre like Shakespeare’s Kremlin silly. Flintlock Daniel Fulvio on what the Bard can still tell us about Putin’s isL made up of recent graduates from the Russia, and his new studio production of Richard III Guildford School of Acting, including ike many people in the West, punk performance artists Pussy Riot, like contemporary Russia, we are not two members who have since I’ve become fascinated and currently appealing their two-year suggesting that we have the answers set up their own youth theatre appalled by the Russian jail sentences for performing an anti- to any of these questions about who school. They seriously know what president Vladimir Putin in Putin ‘punk prayer’ inside a Moscow Putin really is. Nor are we arguing that they are doing, yet they can do it Lmuch the same way that audiences cathedral. To these commentators, he the Russia of today is precisely like the with a serious sense of fun. Their of Shakespeare’s Richard III are both is the kind of whimsical autocrat who England of the Wars of the Roses, let inaugural production was a four- charmed and horrified by its iconic would turn on a political opponent alone like Shakespeare’s representation man rendition of The Government protagonist. for nothing more than insufficiently of that era. Inspector, staged last month in a Like Richard, Putin emerged to seize agreeing with him (as Shakespeare’s However, the parallels are intriguing. room above the popular student the crown after a period of destructive Richard orders Hastings’s death for The factional battles of the English pub, The Jericho Tavern in Oxford. instability caused (in Putin’s case) saying “If”). court of the play are strikingly similar An incredible combination of group by his predecessor Boris Yeltsin’s To others, he is the godfather at to the power struggles that gripped dance, gentle chaos and farcical commitment to a classic ‘shock therapy’ the top of a mafia state. In the same the post-Soviet Kremlin. Any number movement meant that this unusual transition to capitalism. way that Shakespeare’s Richard hires of the big players could have come layout was utilized in a number of State privatisation and market various murderers to sub-contract the out on top in either time or place. surprising, clever ways. reforms created some very wealthy At the beginning of his post-KGB Peppered throughout this winners (the oligarchs) and many ‘We are not suggesting political career, Putin looked as charming production were impoverished losers, and the unlikely as Richard of Gloucester to ingenious moments of audience combination of rocketing price rises, that we have the ascend the equivalent of the throne involvement, onstage choreography government cutbacks and economic answers to any of these (although the crook-backed Richard, Above: Richard III, Shakespeare’s specifically designed to ease depression resulted in a standoff by his own admission “not shaped hunchbacked villain. Below: Vladimir Putin, costume changes and lovingly between the parliament and the questions about who for sportive tricks,” is unlikely to have Russia’s own strong man created short entertainment president. regularly posed topless in his pursuit of interludes. Far from distracting In an almost Shakespearean irony, Putin really is’ power). And both effectively crowned from the sense of the play, these Yeltsin ended up ordering the shelling themselves –Putin in the recent additions helped to create an of the very same parliament building political assassinations that will help disputed presidential elections that entirely coherent, playful piece. from which he had led the resistance him secure the throne, in the eyes of some have suggested were less than Particularly commendable was to the anti-Gorbachev plotters in commentators such as The Guardian’s fair. Both eras are steeped in blood. the use of audience members in 1991 (shades of Coriolanus marching former Moscow correspondent Luke The brutal Chechen wars have caused cameo roles – wigs and cue cards on Rome at the head of the enemy Harding, Putin has eliminated and the deaths of at least 25,000 Chechen were thrust at unwitting front- Volscians?). By the end of Russia’s intimidated opponents using muscle civilians and 5,000 Russian soldiers, row viewers. This is exactly the first decade as capitalist economy, the supplied by the Federal Security Bureau while the Wars of the Roses included kind of simple magic that could country was in the kind of political and (FSB), the new name for the KGB the longest and bloodiest battle fought so easily liven up our own theatre economic disarray that was an open in which he spent 16 years climbing on English soil, the Battle of Towton in scene. While Flintlock’s show is invitation to any opportunist politician steadily to the rank of Lieutenant- which 28,000 died so that Edward IV just one example of fringe theatre who could present themselves as Colonel, until he left on the second day could claim the throne, until Richard pieces being put on nationwide, a strong man, capable of restoring of the ‘91 coup (by which time it was plotted and murdered his way to the their performance seems is a real national pride and power. Putin, already clear it was doomed to failure). top. Beyond that, all we can do is raise indicator of what is possible if recognising “the tide in the affairs of Others still argue that the action- some important questions about the you throw yourself into a show men which taken at the flood leads on man image, regularly burnished by nature of power, as seen through the creatively. In an age where almost to fortune,” seized his moment and, official photo portraits of him stripped double lens of Shakespeare’s verse no topic is too outrageous, the idea from the position of Yeltsin’s deputy, to the waist, fishing and horse-riding, and Putin’s court. And, with luck, of constructing a piece of theatre and then acting president, won his first is all smoke and mirrors: this is a man shine a light on the oligarchs, many – or indeed comedy – through election in 2000. who has resumed the presidency of a of whom have not only established the whimsical and daft often gets His time in office has provoked state which is politically, economically homes and power bases for themselves unduly overlooked. ‘Silly’ in its huge amounts of comment in the and militarily much weaker than it in this country, but have also sent light-hearted sense doesn’t have West. To some, he is an incarnation appears. Like Shakespeare’s Richard, their children to be educated at elite to be synonymous with simplistic of neo-Stalinism, the kind of leader Putin was hungry for power, but universities such as ours. or puerile. There are still plenty of who crushes opposition wherever seems to lack any real idea of what to ● Richard III runs at the barriers to be broken in the world it raises its head – whether that’s in do with it now he has it. By staging Judith E. Wilson Drama of silliness. While the existence the form of Chechen separatists or Shakespeare’s Richard III in something Studio from 18-20 October of much impressive, carefully- considered theatre in Cambridge can only be applauded, an increase in quirkier productions would be Um. ● Ben Pope’s Um. idiosyncrasies. The act overflowed Bartholomew Fair ● How often is despite the valiant efforts of the cast nonetheless welcome. Corpus Playroom is a show that above with an abundance of lovingly crafted ADC do you see early members. In this instance, Jennie King It would be unfair to suggest ★★★★★ all knows its target imagery which had the audience in ★★★★★ modern drama on as Win is working her socks off, bawl- that no theatre in Cambridge audience perfectly stitches, including such gems as liken- stage that is not ing and flailing, and generally looking attempts to innovate, but it could well. Playing to a packed Corpus Play- ing posh people running down wildlife Shakespeare? Not often at all. So this as hormonally pregnant as is possible definitely go further. Maintaining room full of Cambridge students, he in the countryside at night to “Water- Marlowe Society performance of Ben with her slim frame. Yet it’s hard to feel such a near-professional standard shyly assaulted them with a verbal ship Down crossed with The Wire”. Jonson’s comedy brought with it high any dramatic satisfaction when she gets of acting is clearly important, whirlwind of terrible punchlines, hilar- Much of Pope’s comedy was clearly expectations. With 25 cast members, her way. Fred Maynard’s Troubleall but the idea of theatre purely for ious imagery and dark humour which tailored to the Cambridge audience, often all rollicking about on stage at runs around forbidding anything from ridiculous, uproarious fun should managed to tread the extremely frayed contrasting mildly intellectual refer- once, director Harry Michell scores happening without a warrant, even not be forgotten. Why not swap tightrope of funny above the spiked pit ences to Plato and Alan Bennett with a top marks for ambition. Unfortu- accidental loss, but these echoes of the the ADC stage for a rampant of being overly offensive. tale of his one and only foray into Life, nately, ambition alone cannot save this nonsense of bureaucracy, are left to production above a pub? Why Beginning with an apology – “This as well as taking advantage of the inti- Elizabethan comedy from being funda- peter out as other, louder, characters not incorporate a serving of hot is it, there are no dancing monkeys” macy of the Corpus Playroom to get mentally unfunny. burst on stage with uncertain accents desserts into the show (Flintlock’s – Pope appeared on stage, slightly the entire audience to greet his mum, And there really is nothing more and indiscriminate fistfights. fudge cake complemented the dishevelled, hunched over and play- before eventually making several jokes painful to watch than unfunny comedy. Jonson’s language is dense and production particularly well)? The ing on his status as a socially awkward at her expense. Part of the problem is the limitation of made denser by a general preference potent combination of remarkable introvert. Comparing himself to a A couple of fudged segues were Jonson’s play. The man who famously for volume over clarity. Gratefully
talent, concentrated intelligence grumpy old man but with none of the recovered quickly enough, and appall- declared Shakespeare Emma Wilkinson received exceptions to and accessible performance spaces privileges that entails, such as “being ing punchlines were followed up with “was not of an age but this are to be found in the that is so unique to Cambridge racist in public”, he continually rails apologies often funnier than the jokes for all time” could not soliloquys and asides of means that truly creative and against, well, everything. The clas- themselves. Indeed, his entire perfor- have the same said for Freddy Sawyer’s accom- outlandish theatre could readily be sic political comedy topics of religion mance was hallmarked by an apologetic, himself. Despite being plished Overdo. When, achieved. Whether it’s directors’ and class both, predictably, made an self-effacing stage presence which per- very long, nothing he describes “a savage personal inhibitions, or a long- appearance, being accompanied by the fectly suited a young comedian doing of any consequence kick to the testes”, it is standing tradition of honourable Cambridge staples: tourists and posh his first solo gig. Pope’s combination of happens. Actions are far funnier than seeing – rather than eccentric – theatre people. dark humour, passionate political and poorly motivated, someone actually wallop that keeps Cambridge’s programme Some of the subjects chosen did satirical comedy, made this a stand-out so that a long comic someone in the nuts. But relatively straight-laced, I’d like to somewhat smack of being so many stand-up act which was a joy to watch. sequence – about a if the latter sounds more see an occasional break from taking fish in so many barrels, such as The X This show ran only for a night, but pregnancy craving for amusing to you, by all ourselves too seriously. It’s time to Factor (and in particular Simon Cow- Pope is appearing at Corpus for the rest roast pork requiring an means go spend a fiver let the silly out. ell’s trousers) and Justin Bieber – “He’s of this week in Faces, as well as playing irreligious visit to the and three hours of your an embryo with a haircut” – but every compère for the Corpus Smoker next titular fair – makes very life at the ADC main- Emma is a Varsity theatre critic single joke was delivered with panache week. little sense and elicits Freddie Sawyer as Justice show this week. and an infectious enthusiasm for life’s Tim Squirrell still fewer laughs. This Overdo Rachel Stoplar Theatre Editor: Fred Maynard did our critics get it right? Let us know: [email protected] OctOber 12 2012 THEATRE 27
ALL PHOTOS: dAiSy bARd
TomThe Powell growth speaks to comedy of duo aMatty Beard and Rosa about the experience of developing their Edinburgh sketch show
guess by now Rosa Robson and – they can’t speak highly enough of with a blush the first time they had kids Matilda Wnek should be a pretty the gift of the “autonomous critic” that in the front row – “I felt uncomfortable fluent pair, but it’s a little unnerving getting bums on seats provides – which and so I changed the script so that how smoothly they come across. means they’re taking more time with there were no swear words.” Rosa IOver the course of the interview, a their material. They had an epiphany too, confesses to coughing over a clear pattern emerges – Rosa begins very early on in their performance particularly choice expletive when her their answer, Matilda will interject and run: Matilda finally let a close friend of Grandma came to see the show. intensely, at vertiginous speed unpack hers see it, and their favourite jokes fell the substance, and Rosa will sum it completely flat. So what went wrong? ’They’ve gradually been up with a joke and a smile. That their “We skipped a step,” Rosa says. The set- words are overlapping, endearing, ups weren’t easily discernible – “there’s putting a stop to some of and occasionally nonsensical, speaks a lesson to all sketch writers out there,” the misunderstandings volumes of a duo who aren’t afraid to Matilda interjects – “half the battle is take silliness seriously. making yourself clear.” After that, they that two women playing I meet them on their return went through the show, put in the set- from the Edinburgh Fringe festival, ups, and, according to Matilda “it just over 150 characters can where they performed Beard, their flew, it was great.” engender’ two woman, one pianist (an absent They’ve gradually been putting a Stephen Bermingham) show. They’re stop to some of the misunderstandings each adamant it’s not like regular that two women playing over one I’m a little sceptical of such a Cambridge sketch shows – “Beard has hundred and fifty characters can malleable approach, but they say a very clear idea of its sense of humour, engender. They recall Rosa’s dad they’re over that now, seasoned The girls from Beard – is calling them Bearded Ladies too obvious? – with a cat. (The cat it’s self-aware, playful, surreal” Matilda coming to see it one night, and being a by a month of performing to an has nothing to do with the show, apparently.) says. Structurally, it’s different too: little bemused by his reaction. He said, Edinburgh audience of all shapes and the sketches are spliced together with a little uncomfortably, that there were a sizes. Their sensibility is also part of snippets from a TV channel called, lot of lesbian encounters in the show – their appeal: they make it clear how surprisingly, Beard. though they weren’t aware of any. It’s to grateful they are for all the help they this end, after every show they’d have received in Edinburgh, and there’s ‘They can’t speak highly some noodles and work on clarifying no hint of disingenuousness when the sketches – “thinking it through, they speak of how excited they are enough of the gift of the being like ‘oh, now we know that’s a to be performing it twice more, to “autonomous critic” that woman!’”. They recall being obsessively their home crowd. The excitement attentive to the show in Edinburgh extends to the new intake of freshers; getting bums on seats – “it was like a drug. A fun drug. We they’re over-brimming with advice didn’t really go out in Edinburgh, we to wannabe comedians. Matilda is provides’ were just spending time with the show, the membership secretary for the writing and re-writing bits. We were Footlights Committee, and she urges This is where Bermingham comes very antisocial.” those with a comedy bent to “audition to the fore: Stephen is the voice of It feels like they’re putting in the for every smoker. I cannot express that Beard TV. He’s worked before with work so the punters don’t have to. enough. You’ll always learn from it and The Scat Pack, amongst many other Certainly, I get the impression that you’ll get better.” Rosa adds – “Don’t be vaguely theatrical ventures, and they their brand of comedy is otherwise afraid to venture out on your own, grab see him as the rock of their show – an remarkably laid-back – Rosa says of the a group of like-minded people and give anchor at the back, staying seated audience “we don’t want them to have it a go.” It’s an admirable attitude. and calm whilst they run themselves to do any work, we want them to come With Beard, Rosa and Matilda seem into exhaustion on stage. Whilst in in, to enjoy it and have fun.” There’s to want to work together on a different conversation they barely pause for an eagerness to please in the way they approach to comedy – more slapstick, breath, on the stage there’s less running speak, something that echoes with more surreal. It sounds pretty fun. around these days, as the show has some of their performance experiences ● Beard is on at the ADC at 11pm become less frenetic with time. Part of at the Fringe. Matilda, who has been on Thursday 18th and Saturday 20th that’s a response to audience feedback the more forthright of the pair, recalls October. Beyond theADC: a guide to the Cambridge’s range of theatrical venues
THE ADC THEATRE also has a fantastic (and cheap) bar, to stand awkwardly at the sides basement of the English Faculty it has played host to some notorious The official home of the Amateur which serves cocktails themed to the of the stage. On the bright side, building on the Sidgwick Site, making stinkers (take a bow, Fresher: the Dramatics Club and the main mainshow. the Playroom’s dinkiness makes it it absolutely great for a post-library Musical) the Cellars have also, under theatrical space for student Good For: Big productions, drama, perfect for less experienced comics theatre trip, but mildly inconvenient the supervision of the Pembroke productions, the ADC is a hub of variety, safer options. to perform at Smokers (Corpus otherwise. It is a robust, basic theatre Players, produced some fine new dramatic activity. It hosts the biggest, Not So Good For: Size, unconventional holds them frequently), whilst giving space, with no fixed seating or work such as Unconditional. Look most extravagant shows (the annual theatre, new writing. certain performances a warmth and backstage area. Like the ADC, it is out for new writing What? World and Footlights Panto and European Theatre Fun Fact: Four out of the five directors immediacy that can be lost in larger used not only for drama, but also for Indelible Acts later in the term Group Tour Show, to name a few), of the National Theatre, (Sir Peter Hall, venues such as the ADC. literary talks and poetry readings, and as well as a plethora of smaller or Richard Eyre, Sir Trevor Nunn and More awkward than the size of the is therefore a firm favourite with many THE FITZPATRICK HALL one-man shows (Anything But was Nicholas Hytner) are alumni of the Playroom, however, is its shape: the an English student. This converted badminton court a recent favourite of mine). Though theatre. L-shape of the room can sometimes The Studio is known for putting in Queens’ College makes for a there is no hard and fast rule about create a sense of alienation, as on few, but good (and free) student surprisingly good theatre venue. this, ADC shows are generally of a THE CORPUS PLAYROOM performers find it difficult to address productions. This term we’ve got While the raked seating is rarely high quality, and they often choose Though owned by Corpus Christi both halves of their audience. I the rather formidable-sounding filled and feels a bit distant from preferring bigger, crowd-pleasers College, the Playroom is a central have occasionally witnessed comics combination of Richard III and the stage, the accoustic from all instead of riskier options.The theatre landmark for thesps of all Cambridge attempting to use this to their Goodbye Iraq. the wood is very nice, and the itself is surprisingly small considering colleges. Far smaller than the ADC, the advantage, such as one Corpus Good For: Off the beaten track, poetry, technical possibilities of the large its enormous reputation, and will easily Corpus Playroom is tucked away on St Smoker when Pierre Novellie divided literature, small productions. space are impressive. The dressing fill up for a mainshow. ‘Mainshows’ Edward’s Passage (just opposite King’s his audience into two ‘tribes’. Not Not So Good For: Location, big rooms are a crèche by day, so you are the first production of the evening, College), and is intimate to say the sure about the shelf life of this tactic, productions, comedy. always have the satisfaction of usually starting around 7.45pm, with least. The problem is less one of seating though. Fun Fact: The poet Louis MacNeice knowing that actors are enjoying the ‘lateshow’, a shorter, usually hour- (there is a surprisingly large capacity Good For: Small productions, spoke at the Studio for the 1958-9 Mr Men books backstage. long production, beginning shortly of 80), but stage size: there is very little stand-up, Smokers, first-time actors. Judith E. Wilson Lecture on Poetry and afterwards around 11pm. That said, room for manouvre, and the front row Not So Good For: Reliable quality, Drama, on the subject of ‘Lyric into THE REST productions always seem to maximise danger that an actor might fall into large productions, tech. Drama’. There’s the very out-of-the-way stage-space, which can be enlarged or your lap is quite immediate. Fun Fact: Stephen Fry wrote the play Newnham Old Labs, the Howard contracted depending on the size of The modest size of the Playroom’s Latin! for the opening of the Playroom THE PEMBROKE NEW CELLARS Theatre at Downing, and a whole host the show. stage creates certain logistical issues, in 1979. Tucked away in the basement of of converted theatres in just about As well as drama and comedy, such as entrances and exits; I have Pembroke’s Foundress Court, this dark every college. Even King’s Chapel is the ADC occasionally plays host seen productions at the Playroom THE JUDITH E WILSON STUDIO corner of Cambridge theatre is hard getting in on the act this term. to concerts and academic talks. It where off-stage actors are forced The Judith E. Wilson sits in the to find, but worth the finding. While Rivkah Brown Fashion Editor: Tom Rasmussen 28 Fashion OctOber 12 2012 Could you be gracing these pages next issue? Get in touch: [email protected] Fashion Editor: Tom Rasmussen Could you be gracing these pages next issue? Get in touch: [email protected] OctOber 12 2012 FAShiON 29
The days TOM RASMUSSEN
Since our previous issue hit your plodge, a lot has gone down. No doubt you’re in recovery; freshers’ flu, that week-long hangover or the awkward walk(s) of shame accross your new home town. I, too, am in recovery. This week I died. I died an accessory death. The launch of H&M’s line of affordable accessories designed by the heart- stoppingly glamourous Anna dello Russo has taken over my life. Last Thursday saw me forcing five of my good friends to drag themselves from their duvets and prep for buying my new season jewels at 8:45am. Mission accomplished. It has all been far too emotional, and when designing the concept for this shoot I felt like celebrating: a new era for fashion and, especially, accessories. This shoot is about excess - ignoring the negative connotations rolled up in the word - and revelling in the texture, colour and presence of things which fuel our lives. AdR x H&M is all about awakening the senses, thus I felt the combination of food and acessiories would combine two very sensory and visually stimulating mediums. (Never have I had the chance to pour custard all over a metal clad man either, so of course I jumped at the thought. ) Now that the butterflies of being back in Cambridge are beginning to be scared away by the bats of work worry, I think it’s important to remember to keep living. Find what does it for you - your escape route from the stresses of Cambridge - and take time to enjoy that! GUILT FREE! In the meantime you can find me sleeping in Queens’ plodge, awaiting the arrival of my beautiful new jewels (AKA my babies). For more photos, and to see the shoot in video form get clicking and check out fashion at varsity.co.uk. More Is More
Styling / Tom Rasmussen
Photography / Thurstan Redding & Nick Morris
Model / Jacob Mallinson Bird
Jacob wears accessories from a selection at JWA, Topshop, H&M, YSL, Primark, River Island & Rolex Sport Editor: Katie Bartholomew 30 SPORT OCTOBER 12 2012 Win? Lose? Agonising draw? Get in touch: [email protected] Northampton Wanderers walk over Blues Triumph in last week’s Town v Gown didn’t last for rugby Blues, writes Ruairi Bowen, as they proved no match for Northampton
CAMBRIDGE NEWS Four unanswered tries opened up a 43 point gap in proceedings before a pen- alty try two minutes from time added some respectability to the score line. ere was commendable defence from centre pairing Dugal Bain and Danny Holmes, and a periodically dominant display from the forwards (charac- terized by the trademark bulldozing runs and thundering hits of Captain Rob Malaney). Yet this proved to be mere consolation in a game where the Blues were ultimately no match for this highly professional Northamp- ton outfit; the final score 13-49. e Town vs Gown match last week had marked the occasion of veteran second-row Scott Annett’s fiftieth appearance for the Blues. Speaking after the winning game, the Northern Irishman played down his achievement, focussing more on the signifi cance of the result: “we needed a win coming off the back of a couple of losses in pre- season – we want to build momentum towards Varsity and today is step one”. Annett cited the need to improve on the fi rst half performance, particularly at the breakdown, but was buoyant: “we have a fantastic coach who’s immedi- ately made a huge diff erence. We’re in a good place: work to do, but you don’t want to be the fi nished article now.” As thoughts turn towards the all- important Varsity match on December 6th, the Blues will be hoping to bounce back from this heavy defeat, starting with a trip to Ealing on Wednesday. Back row pairing Hugo Kelly and Rob Malaney put in a big hit as part of a solid defensive display, as the Blues comfortably overcame their Town rivals last Wednesday For the next home game, played against Blackheath RFC on October with a bump on a damp and drizzly boot of scrum-half Seb Tullie, which a succession of powerful rolling mauls. 24th, they will hope to build on last Monday 8th October - Home Monday evening at Grange Road. ey the Saints were punished for off side, e opportunity went begging, and the year’s authoritative second-half display were outrun and outplayed by a young, a loose kick and a poor kick-chase failure to capitalise on sustained pres- that saw them run out 24-18 winners. Cambridge:13 slick Northampton Wanderers outfi t, enabled Northampton’s back three to sure was punished by the Saints as If they can draw on the positives with England U19 full-back Tom Col- break clear, with Collins fi nishing off . Tom Stephenson scored under the post from their opening two games, in par- Northampton: 49 lins running in four tries. With Northampton a man down before half-time to make the score 6-21. ticular the force of the scrum – which Northampton were on the board after repeated infringements, Tullie, In the second half, the pace and pre- proved too strong for Town rivals inside three minutes as pressure in making his fi rst start for the Blues, hit cision of the Northampton outside Cambridge RFC – they can set about Following an excellent 31-12 victory the Blues’ 22 led to a charge down and his second penalty. But Cambridge backs proved to be too strong for the establishing the momentum that against Cambridge RFC last week, the a try for skipper, Ben Nutley. Despite would have hoped for more as they Blues, at a numerical defi cit on the hour will be crucial leading into the fabled Blues were brought back down to earth a near immediate riposte from the were camped on the Saints’ try line with following Scott Annett’s yellow card. ‘Battle of the Blues’ at Twickenham. Cambridge footballers unable to loosen AFA’s seven-year stranglehold Richard Totten reports promising set pieces but a failure to hit the back of the net ROSS BROADWAY much greater balance in play than had been seen at any point in the fi rst half. Wednesday 10th October- With Cambridge’s defence still on top, the AFA’s sixtieth-minute strike was a Away tough blow to take. Despite this, the Blues continued Cambridge: 0 to create more chances. Totten’s left- footed strike (from Forde’s centre) was Amateur FA: 1 well-saved by the keeper and substitute CAMBRIDGE STARTING 11: Kerrigan fi red just wide. e closest the Blues came was from another set piece: F Kent after Totten was hacked down on the right-hand side, Rutt produced a teas- A Childs – J Day – M Smith – J Rutt ing free kick which was fl icked fi rst by Broadway, then by Day, into the top R Totten – J May – B Tsuda - R Broadway – D Forde corner of the net. But the goal was not H Sheriff to stand as the linesman awarded the fortunate AFA defence a free kick for Subs : H Dempsey – S Elliott – G Hill – D Kerrigan pushing in the box. e fresh legs of Hill, Elliott and Dempsey looked like they might be able to conjure some- Despite putting in their best perfor- thing in the closing stages but the Blues mance of the season so far, the Blues once again fell just short of the mark in footballers were unable to break the this traditional fi xture. AFA’s seven-year stranglehold on this ings had started well for the Blues the back of the net. the box, only for his low drive to be Many positives can be taken from this particular fi xture and succumbed to an side: Totten forced the opposition As the fi rst half progressed, the Blues blocked on the line. match, from the performance of Mikey undeserved 1-0 defeat. e failure to left back into an error, before manag- - driven forwards by a dominant centre Going in at half time, there was little Smith (who played his fi rst ninety min- properly clear the ball from a second ing to deliver a dangerous cross which midfi eld partnership of Broadway and question as to who had had the better utes for the Blues), to the strength of half corner resulted in a goalmouth just evaded Sheriff and Forde as they May - continually threatened, looking forty-fi ve. Having been unable to con- Sheriff , who looks like he may be hitting scramble, allowing the AFA centre mid attacked the six yard box. Unfortu- especially dangerous from set pieces. vert this dominance into goals, however, form at just the right time. An inabil- to fi re home from eight yards. He gave nately this was a sign of things to come: From a corner midway through the fi rst the Cambridge side could not aff ord to ity to put the ball in the back of the net them the goal they needed from what Cambridge’s front three made powerful half, Day managed to power a header relax. e AFA reappeared with the will worry coach Che Wilson, however, proved to be their own shot on target runs in the opposition’s fi nal third, but across goal. It was parried into the path words of their manager ringing in their who will be looking to put this to rights of the match. weren’t able to manoeuvre the ball into of new-boy Ben Tsuda on the edge of ears, and the second half began with a before BUCs starts in two weeks’ time. Sport Editor: Katie Bartholomew Win? Lose? Agonising draw? Get in touch: [email protected] OCTOBER 12 2012 SPORT 31
£16m Sports Centre construction work right on track EYES ON... Katie Bartholomew investigates progress at the University’s biggest ever investment in sport facilities
ANTONY LEMONS TOM 8 Badminton courts with marketing the facilities, setting up price structures HILL fresh from a 2 Basketball courts and really ensuring that we 5.30am pool session, staff it correctly. We want to 2 Netball courts hit the ground running with talks of trunks that new members in August next 2 Volleyball courts year. ere’s still an awful lot have kept him winning 2 Five-a-side football to do, but we’ve got it in hand.” Mr Lemons also drew atten- for 6 years pitches tion to other improvements to sporting facilities: namely, the Sport: 2 Martial Arts dojos summer refurbishment of the 4 Fencing pistes hockey pitches at Wilberforce Swimming Road Sports Ground. The 9 Table tennis tables new sand-dressed, colour- Event: coded surface – which is “up 8 Weight training there with the best surfaces 100m platforms in the UK” – came into use for league matches last week. breaststroke 1 Plyometric track A dip in the proposed 50m swimming pool would require Age: August 2013 for the sched- a slightly longer academic uled opening of these Phase commitment for those study- 21 Striking construction work done so far on the new Sports Centre (photograph as of 20th September 2012) 1 developments. But project ing here now. Keen swimmers Cambridge’s ‘800 Years With prospect of having an excellent completed over the summer leader Antony Lemons is opti- should consider PhD propos- Height: No Sports Centre’ - as the stu- venue to train and compete vacation. It has brought a mistic that his team’s work is als: this next venture lacks, as dent campaign protested - are in. ere was much anticipa- dramatic change to the west on target: “ e building work yet, funding. Indoor tennis 191cm nearly over. A cutting-edge tion after the ceremony for Cambridge site (off Madingley is going absolutely to schedule: courts have also been proposed sport facility moves ever closer the muddy fi eld in west Cam- road), which many students absolutely on time, on budget.” for a potential second phase. Weight: to completion, and construc- bridge to be transformed may not yet have noticed. He hopes to be taking posses- For now, Cambridge stu- tion work is right on track. into a state-of-the-art Sports e completed centre will sion of the building on June dents can be confi dent that 85kg While students broke Centre – we now cannot wait certainly not go unnoticed, 14th, and then to begin com- completion of the Sports themselves into revision for for the opening ceremony!” however: the fi tness suite will missioning. “ is next part of Centre is less than a year away. Varsity caps for last term’s exams, ground boast a sizable strength and the year will be extremely busy Cambridge: for the new Sports Centre ‘The building work conditioning wing, a three- ANTONY LEMONS was broken on 1st May 2012. lane plyometric track and 3 Representatives from seven is going absolutely free-weights platforms; cur- Cambridge sports teams to schedule: rently homeless sports – such Personal Best: attended the ground-break- as netball, basketball, badmin- KATHERINE MORRIS ing ceremony, along with the absolutely on time, ton and volleyball – will be 1.05.6mins scheme’s engineers, archi- catered for by a large sports tects and other contractors. on budget’ hall of two full-size basket- What’s your weekly Hannah Pennicott, repre- ball courts; multi-purpose training programme? senting the Blues netball team, Since then, construction rooms will provide space for 6 pool sessions, 2 gym sessions, 1 says: “ e ground-breaking has been smooth and effi cient: fitness classes, martial arts run and 1 land training session. I ceremony for the long awaited welcome and well-deserved and fencing. At sixteen mil- usually do evenings at the pool, Sports Centre was great to be news to those campaigners lion pounds, the Sport Centre but make it up with a 5.30 morning part of: a good opportunity to who fought through years of indeed represents the larg- session if I miss one. showcase the Sports Centre reluctance and snail-paced est financial investment plans, as well as to thank those progression to allow the in student sport facilities Any superstitions or rituals? involved with the project. Rep- Sports Centre to be funded in the University’s history. I’ve worn the same pair of resentatives from some of the and built at all. Now, fi nally, ose keen to slam-dunk swimming trunks to warm up in sports who will use the centre much of the fundamen- into the new basketball for 6 years. ey’ve actually got were all very excited at the tal structural work has been courts still have to wait until Sports representatives at the ground-breaking ceremony, 1st May 2012 holes in them now. How did you get into swimming? Just published on My mum took me to swimming SUDOKU lessons when I was 4, and I’ve been AMAZON/KINDLE competing ever since I was 9. www.amazon.co.uk Injuries along the way? As I do breaststroke, loads of knee 4 7 8 3 problems. I normally can’t train for about a month every season A new book by a new author because of my knees. and ready for download 9 8 2 6 Sporting hero? Kosuke Kitajima - best breaststroker 7 9 who’s ever lived Rivals? **** I used to train with an Olympian (Andrew Willis): so I never won 8 4 2 3 any competitions for my club, but it’s done me good working with someone so fast. Racing with the Devil Here, a guy who swims the same 2 1 6 stroke as me was doing an MPhil at Cambridge, but now he’s doing a by PhD at Oxford... 6 2 5 1 Best gym in Cambridge? Anthony Young I only use my college gym, at Jesus. What’s a blues swimmer’s diet? 6 3 I eat when I’m hungry! Usually 5 meals a day. But I suppose no fatty **** foods for a few days before a race.
4 5 8 7 ● To get involved with Cambridge The horse racing industry as you University Swimming and could never have imagined Water Polo Club contact 7 3 6 2 c.u.swimmingandwaterpolo@sport. cam.ac.uk
********* Sport Editor: Katie Bartholomew 32 SPORT OCTOBER 12 2012 Want to see your team featured here? Get in touch: [email protected]
30 Football: Amateur Fotball Alliance conceded nothing to the SPORT Blues on Wednesday SPORT ROUND-UP WOMEN’S LACROSSE WIN AT LOUGHBOROUGH Almost triple triumph SIMON TIM WEBB UNIVERSITY e Women’s Lacrosse Blues started their BUCS Champi- onships-defending season with a solid 8-6 win over North Premier- ship side Loughborough. With prior academic commitments preventing a full squad from travelling, the team set off with only 12 players. Cambridge struck fi rst, but the girls found themselves down 5-3 with minutes remaining in the fi rst half. Multiple goal efforts from Dani Allard and rookie Lara Pley- dell-Bouverie led the rally on attack, and the Blues’ young defensive unit regrouped to hold Loughborough to only 1 goal in the second half. HOCKEY GIRLS FALL SHORT UNIVERSITY On Saturday 6th, the women’s Hockey Blues played St Albans, away. e girls started nicely until a good aerial from St Albans left an unmarked player open to score. Cambridge quickly recovered to make it 1-1 with a lovely fi nish from Izzy Smith. e relief was short lived, how- ever, after a short-corner goal brought them 2-1 down just before half time. Cambridge fought val- iantly in the second half, keeping possession in St Albans’ half for most of the play. Unfortunately, the deserved out- comes just didn’t appear, and the girls tired toward the end allow- ing St Albans back into the game. Will Cairns (above right) was a deserving ‘Man of the Match’ for his three goals and a generally authoritative performance at the heart of the Blues midfi eld A fi nal score of Cambridge 1 - 4 St Albans didn’t refl ect the Blues’ good Jasper Joyce reviews an action-packed fortnight of Hockey successes which ended in heart-break standard of play. With visions of that heroic 5-3 work closely with him to fi red home from close range numerical advantage tell. DOWNING DEFEAT defeat over their Dark Blue push this talented new outfi t to get the scoreboard moving. Saturday 6th October - Home Eventually, when restored to THE RED BOYS counterparts still so fresh in towards promotion into the Assured in their structure their full complement, a long the memory, the start of a new National Leagues and, of and game plan, the home side Cambridge:1 period of Albans pressure COLLEGE After a steady start, Down- league season for the Men’s course, repeat success against added two more to their tally reaped a deserved equaliser. ing were the fi rst to score when they Hockey Blues seems to have Oxford come March. before the break. Harrison St Albans: 2 With a draw looking like the met St John’s on the rugby pitch on come round rather quickly. e e last fortnight has pro- provided some short corner most likely result, it was only Tuesday. At half-time, the Red Boys squad are now a month into vided a flurry of testing artistry to send the ball into the It would have made for a a freak own-goal that could were still yet to score. Downing their league campaign. Well encounters. The Blues had roof of the Wisbech net after magical fortnight had the separate the two sides. With defence crumbled as the send half prepared by three gruelling to deliver industry and inno- Charlie Bennett had defl ected Blues snatched victory when 90 seconds remaining Albans got under way, taking the Red Boys weeks of pre-season training vation in equal measure to an irresistible Mclean cross to league leaders St Alban’s vis- crashed a ball across the Cam- into a 7 -5 lead. and a brief, but action-packed, seal victory against a notori- double the lead. ited Tab-land the following bridge ‘D’, to see it defl ected Downing quickly replied, how- tour of Brussells, the 2012 vin- ously combative Dereham XI. The second half saw week. From the off , the visitors by a light blue stick past the ever, pulling ahead once more. A tage are beginning to hit their Swinn latched onto a delecta- Cambridge’s dominance showed the pedigree in their helpless Morrison and high penalty fi nally boosted the score- straps. e squad boasts an ble slice of Charles Hardy V forward line and the abrasive into the Cambridge net. It was card for Downing to claim an exciting combination of new skill to scramble in the only physicality in the midfield a heart-breaking conclusion important 19-7 victory. talent and returning Blues. score of the game. At the ‘The Blues displayed that make them such a force to a fi xture from which the Felix Styles, in his third year other end, Dereham launched a maturity generally in the East League. e Blues home side surely deserved to at the heart of the Light Blue a wave of late attacks and the displayed a maturity gener- depart with at least a point. CHRIST’S FOOTBALLERS defence, will skipper the side Blues had to call on the expe- uncharacteristic of ally uncharacteristic of such SIMON TIM WEBB CRUSHED BY DOWNING this season. rience of Styles as well as a young side and matched the Vice-Captain Dave the characteristic refl exes of such a young side’ Albans’ belligerence with their COLLEGE Not letting standards slip Harrison, named keeper Morrison to main- own brand of fl are and cre- at the start of a new year, Downing ‘Man of the Match’ tain their advantage. continue. e home side even- ativity. Grimshaw grabbed the footballers retained their dominance in last year’s Var- A vital three points tually ran out comfortable 6-2 only goal of the fi rst period. as league champions in a pre-season sity victory, will were fi ne reward for such victors with Cairns securing He nudged home to complete friendly against Christ’s. An impres- a composed display at an his hat- trick and Grimshaw a fl uid counter attack, thereby sive 3-0 win will give the college infamously hostile venue. opening his account for the giving the home side the slen- confidence as the college league Just twenty-four hours later season. Two late Wisbech derest of advantages to take kicks off this weekend. the Blues hosted Wisbech goals were a consolation that into the half time break. Town in the second round of the tenacious visitors perhaps Early in the second half, as Bennett leads the forward line the National 1st XI Cup. Cam- deserved. Cambridge clung desperately It has been a promising start ● Keep up with sports results as bridge proved far too polished e Blues will undoubtedly to their narrow lead, Albans to the new season but, per- they happen: fi nd match reports for the visitors. eir unre- be disappointed, however, to were justly punished with haps inevitably, a great deal and commentary online at www. lenting control of possession have conceded to a side that yellow cards for a cocktail of of work remains to be done varsity.co.uk/sport from the outset ensured that never really looked to pose a wayward tackles. But Cam- if this year’s squad are to fulfi l SIMON TIM WEBB it wasn’t long before Cairns legitimate threat. bridge could not make their their immense potential.