e Independent Student Newspaper
Number 788 Friday 13th February 2015
Published in Cambridge since 1947 www.varsity.co.uk
3 Election Profi le12 Interview: Blake 27 eatre 28 Reviews
Ed Balls comes ANDREW CONNELL to Cambridge contributions are “far from” an “ideal and see what [they] can do”, a response Andrew Connell way of funding political parties,” and that Balls repeated almost verbatim. instead advocated a “move towards a Balls’ lack of knowledge on Labour’s News Correspondent completely diff erent model of party stance drew laughter from the CULC funding” with “a really quite low cap audience, but he grew in confi dence Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer on individual donations”. on the issue, and fi nished by saying Ed Balls visited the university yester- ese suggestions for a cap on indi- that he wants “every young person to day as part of Labour’s campaign in the vidual donations come as the Financial have a chance to succeed” and “have run up to May’s general election. Times this week revealed that such the same chance as any other student e event, organised by the donations to the Labour Party have going to university”, before criticising Cambridge University Labour Club slumped to less than half of previous the government for cutting funding for (CULC), took place in St John’s, and levels. e party received only £8.7m disabled students. students were given the opportunity to from private donors thus far in the e student-centric question-and- question Balls on Labour’s policies and course of this parliament, compared to answer session promptly moved onto plans ahead of the launch of their full £20.7m in the same period in the last a key electoral issue for this demo- manifesto in April. parliament. graphic: higher education fees. When Balls was twenty minutes late, pos- pressed, Balls refused to off er any new sibly waiting for the stack of Domino’s announcement as to how Labour will pizzas that he brought with him and fund this policy area, despite criticism proceeded to pass round to the stu- from Universities UK that Labour’s dents, which led to him asking for plans would amount to a £10 billion more time before answering a ques- BALLS’ LACK OF KNOWLEDGE funding gap (see page 7). tion because his mouth was full. ON LABOUR’S STANCE DREW Balls reassured the audience that e questions started tamely, but Labour were working hard on fi nd- soon began to challenge the Shadow LAUGHTER FROM THE CULC ing ways to improve what he called a Chancellor. Speaking directly to “pretty fl awed” system, but did not dis- Varsity, Balls was reluctant to be AUDIENCE close when Labour would be announc- drawn into the ongoing fallout from ing its full proposals. the leaked HSBC fi les, which have “Not today, not today, but we are revealed substantial donations from Balls contrasted Labour’s position going to be talking about it before the holders of Swiss bank accounts to the with Conservative spending on the up- election, I promise you.” Conservative and Labour parties. coming election. He claimed the Tories e Shadow Chancellor hinted at He argued that Labour was working are predicted to outspend Labour by his personal preference for a graduate “in a world where that’s the system” “seven or eight to one”. tax model of higher education funding and so tried to “minimise our disad- e Shadow Chancellor also criti- rather than a fees-loan system, a possi- vantage”, hence the acceptance of large cised the government on the issue of bility that has already been repeatedly personal donations and loans from representation, claiming that the cur- fl oated by senior party fi gures, includ- wealthy individuals as “that’s the only rent Cabinet was “much less represent- ing Shadow Minister from Universities way to access funds at the moment ative of the real world” than 20 years Liam Byrne. Labour leader Ed Miliband other than from individual donations”. ago, and criticising both the Tories and has also repeatedly suggested higher ese comments come after Labour the Lib Dems for not doing enough to education policy could be changed in leader Ed Miliband called David promote women in Parliament. this direction. Cameron a “dodgy Prime Minister” for Balls was also pressed by the Mayor Hinting that the current £9,000 fee failing to answer questions on allega- of Cambridge, Cllr Gerri Bird (Lab), would be changed because “I want to tions of tax avoidance during Prime on the current government’s cuts to change it”, Balls referenced the claim Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, student disability allowances. After that almost half of current university which allegedly implicated top Tory fi rst confessing that he was “not sure students will not repay their fees dur- donors, but also included Labour Party if [he] know the details of this particu- ing their working lives, thus conclud- donor and former Deputy Speaker of lar student thing,” the Labour parlia- ing that the system “isn’t working for the House of Lords, Lord Paul. mentary candidate for Cambridge, students or for the taxpayer”. In light of the ongoing controversy, Daniel Zeichner, stepped forward and With additional reporting from Balls conceded that large individual claimed the party “want to look at it Eleanor Deeley and Tom Freeman. Balls poses with Labour candidate Zeichner in John’s yesterday 2 Friday 13th February 2015 Editorial A love letter to Cambridge
Dearest Cambridge, ey love you in black tie. ey love you though properly, we must love you in the present. is is your hallowed halls were once closed to half of a jealous love. Students ask Whose University? is Valentine’s day, everybody seems to be in love those who now inhabit them. ey love you in the and demand your full attention. ey want you with you. Just last week, ex-Presidents from one past. to love them now, fi ercely, caring for their welfare of your most venerable institutions – the world’s and hearing their demands. oldest continuously running debating society – One of the innumerable quirks of life in your midst, clambered into its iconic chamber to celebrate however, is a collective memory that lasts only ey may not always be plausible – the course of 200 years of talking to you; ‘ is House isn’t what three years, with the insular communities your true love never did run smooth – but they point it used to be’, they posed. But what did it used to colleges create accentuating the phenomenon. in the right direction. If, this Valentine’s day, you be? All-male, black-tie, led by those gentlemen love your university, then love it in the present. By who graced us with their presence once more last We hark back to the golden days of a Cambridge- constantly looking back to a halcyon Cambridge Saturday evening. Why didn’t Ken Clarke admit cum-Brideshead Revisited, yet can’t remember past, we forget that these experiences are not our women to the Union during his presidency? He the biggest news stories of 2009 – CUSU ents own, and risk losing the chance to make some. already had a girlfriend. were cancelled. In their fi rst few weeks, students are just as likely to hear about how Prince Charles Our short collective memory gives us unprec- Indeed, I venture that in this calculated punch- and his bodyguard attended lectures together as edented access to fresh perspectives. Paying at- line, Ken Clarke was referring to you, Cambridge: they are CUSU’s new policies. Even in this edi- tention to them instead of trying to stand on the that torrid love-aff air, those star-crossed mo- tion we have interviewed alumni Quentin Blake shoulders of (often sexist) giants would do this ments, those three years fl eeting by, doomed to and BBC Sports Editor Dan Roan – great men University good. end from the off . You shut your gates and forlorn walked these hallowed halls, you know. alumni can but reminisce. You leave your mark, Cambridge, it is time you broke up with Ken EDITORIAL Cambridge, but I fear you are being loved wrong. But we should not try walk with them. To love you Clarke. ere are plenty more fi sh in the sea.
NEWS Student evangelism Varsity Writers’ Meeting Sarah Sheard explores the Christian Union to see why stu- dents are so intent on saving Cantabrigians’ souls (page 4) INTERVIEW Come along on Monday 16th Quentin Blake Sir Quentin Blake, Britain’s best-loved illustrator, on his February at 6.30pm to the student years and working with Roald Dahl (page 12) COMMENT Varsity o ices if you’re Is chivalry dead? interested in writing for us is Valentine’s day, Sam Dalton and Hebe Hamilton ask if chivarly can survive in a modern world (page 15)
CULTURE Letters to the Editor Battle for Everything [email protected] Dear Editor, Fiona Lin on Redmayne v Cumberbatch – who has the theory of everything when playing Hawking? (page 19) Your report of the bi-centenary of the Union could have included more meaningful criticism than the one observation of- fered. It was a tour de force of organisation and Alex Forzani, the President and all concerned deserve credit for that. At the dinner beforehand, the toast of the Union was proposed by Vince Cable in a speech containing several misrecollections, FEATURES including that he was President in the Easter term in the year following the Easter term when Ken Clarke was president. In fact he was defeatedto be President that time by the undersigned, the majority being 250 to 100. Vince had to wait a Sex in the UL further year for election. He also told political jokes that had nothing to do with Cambridge or the Union. While most of the speeches at the debate were amusing, and that from Peter Bazelgatte a masterpiece, the choice of speakers was far too is romantic time of the year, Noa Lessof-Gendler gives heavily weighted in favour of alumni from the 1960s and the early 1970s. Only two of the eight were later alumni. It was you the comprehensive guide (page 22) also rather provincial that there was no speaker from outside England; to have had as a speaker, for example, Mani Aiyer, a former minister in the Indian government, or Ian Binnie of the SupremeCourt of Canada, both of whom had travelled great distances to be present, would have borne witness to the cosmopolitan history of the Union. As it was, Aiyer was ignored REVIEWS when he held up his hand to contribute to the debate when contributions from the fl oor were invited. As am [sic] occasion, Enter Shikari it was less memorable than the 150 anniversary celebration in 1965. Yours sincerely, Jonny Shamir interviews Enter Shikari ahead of their gig at Charles Lysaght the Corn Exchange (page 28) President of the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Ireland
E Talia Zybutz @.. D E Tom Freeman @.. B M Mark Curtis @.. O D Joe Whitwell P D E Sareeka Linton, Sanjukta Sen, Phoebe Stone, Daniella Mae Brisco-Peaple, Harry Stockwell @.. N E Eleanor Deeley (Senior), Till Schöfer & Richard Nicholl (Deputy) @.. N F I E Sarah Sheard @.. C E Tess Davidson & Georgia Turner @.. S E Harry Taylor @.. E Elissa Foord & Leo Sands @.. C E Will Hutton & Ciara Nugent @.. T E Marthe Ogg de Ferrer & Gabriella Jeakins (Deputy) @ .. F E Livs Galvin & Gayathiri Kamalakanthan @.. R E Matilda Ettedgui @.. S E Peter Rutzler @.. I E Ellie Olcott @.. O E Alex Izza & James Sutton V R Will Helipurn & Alex Rice @.. C S E Eliza Jones P Jess Franklin, Jonny Rowlands, Harriet Wakeman & Daniel Zhang @.. I Quentin Blake, Sophia Buck, Meggie Fairclough, Ben Waters, Hannah Taylor, Suraj Makwana, Chris Roebuck @.. V B Dr Michael Franklin (Chairman), Prof. Peter Robinson, Dr Tim Harris, Chris Wright, Michael Derringer, Michael Curtis (VarSoc President), Chloe Stopa-Hunt ( e Mays), Amy Hawkins, Talia Zybutz
NEWSPAPERS SUPPORT Varsity, Old Examination Hall, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RF. Tel 01223 337575. Fax 01223 760949. Varsity is published by Varsity Publications Ltd. Varsity Publications also publishes the Mays. RECYCLING Recycled paper made ©2015 Varsity Publications Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publisher. up 78.9% of the raw material for UK Printed at Iliffe Print Cambridge — Winship Road, Milton, Cambridge CB24 6PP on 42.5gsm newsprint. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Offi ce. ISSN 1758-4442 newspapers in 2011 NEWSPAPERS SUPPORT News Friday 13th February 2015 3 Election Profi le: Rupert Read
half a million respondents. “ e key diff erence is that we don’t R chard N choll Even on policies like the basic in- whip. We rely on people to work to- Deputy News Ed tor come, over which Natalie Bennett re- gether out of solidarity and in good
RICHARD NICHOLL cently clashed with Andrew Neil on conscience. In my experience as a When I sat down to interview Rupert the BBC’s Sunday Politics programme, former councillor that works incred- Read at the Anchor, I had been expect- Read is sanguine. “It’s not the kind of ibly well, but it can sometimes go ing his rather haggard expression. It’s policy we’d be bringing in on May 8th. wrong.” been a diffi cult few weeks for him, “ e thing that we’d be pushing for Cambridge is likely to be a close-run fi ghting for his political life amid al- in the short term is the living wage, seat. “What this all boils down to is legations of transphobia and ableism make the minimum wage into a liv- that if our vote continues to increase, on Twitter. What I wasn’t expecting ing wage, and try to, if you will, raise if the Green surge in membership, in were the two Green minders that were Labour’s game on that.” activism, in money, in the polls goes fl anking him as I walked in. However, the Greens’ record in gov- on... it could become possible to win A tight leash? I ask him for his nar- ernment has been tested by the prec- Cambridge on a historically low per- rative, and he sighs. “It wouldn’t be a edent in Brighton, where the Green centage of the vote. e winner in this lie to say it’s been the toughest time administration on the council has seat might have as little as 28, 27, 26, I’ve had in my political life,” he says. clashed with the Green MP, Caroline maybe even 25 per cent of the vote.” e day I spoke to him, he had pub- Lucas, over cuts brought in to local “Now is that going to happen? Who lished a piece on the Independent’s services. is raises Read’s hackles. the hell knows... [but] to make it possi- website, apologising for his comments “A really important thing to remem- ble that that could happen, start voting after talking to trans activists. ber about [Brighton] is that it’s a mi- for what you believe in... A hell of a lot “Every cloud has a silver lining; at nority administration... [the Greens] of people in Cambridge want to vote least this one does,” he tells me. “ e wanted to increase council tax to stop Green. Do it.” meetings, for example, that I’ve had in services being cut. Labour and the Rupert Read faces an uphill battle in the last few days with Green trans peo- Tories stopped that from happening. the wake of the last few weeks, and he ple: very enlightening, and wouldn’t “It’s an absolute outrage and a scan- is starting from a position of electoral have happened otherwise.” dal that Labour then turns around and disadvantage. e Green Party has hitherto been says”—and here, he waves his hands Perhaps he’s right, though: the heavily reliant on the votes of young around and puts on a high-pitched, Greens have never done this well in activists. e backlash was so se- mocking voice—“Ooh, you’re cutting the national polls, and if anywhere is vere that Natalie Bennett, the leader services.” a good shot for the Green Party, it’s of the Green Party in England and I press him on this: is discipline an Cambridge. e only people who will Wales, apologised for his comments inherent problem for the Greens? “ e make the decision are the students soon after the news broke. Could the clear that the reasons why people campaign... it’s a fundamental issue Green Party does things in a somewhat and residents of Cambridge – and we scandal have damaged the Cambridge thought that I was a transphobe, they for Britain and for the modern world, diff erent way to other parties, and this won’t know their decision until elec- campaign? just don’t hold up. but it’s an issue that opinion polls con- can sometimes cause problems,” he tion day. Only Cambridge knows, and “I think that some people got very “It was quite a distressing experi- sistently show... concerns people in admits. Cambridge isn’t yet saying. understandably upset by what they ence, in that way, to be so badly misun- Cambridge far more than any other were hearing.” But, he adds, “people derstood. But I also take responsibility issue and much more than it concerns are mostly talking about other things.” for the fact that probably it’s diffi cult to people in ostensibly similar places.” “So we’ll see. I mean, the only thing go from philosophy to politics some- He reels off a list of plans at both I can take responsibility for really is times, and it probably wasn’t... very the local and national level: improving what I’ve done and what we’ve done. sensible... at all to get into an argument cycling facilities, re-regulating buses, I think in diffi cult circumstances, the on Twitter about it.” re-nationalising the railway network Green Party’s pulled well together.” Was there any partisan motivation and reopening old train lines. en Read’s background is academic: behind the attacks? “I can’t speak to the most radical proposal: “It’s time he is a Reader in Philosophy at the that, I don’t know,” he says carefully. for Cambridge to get serious about Advertise with us University of East Anglia. Many of the “It’s possible that some people in looking at something like a congestion quotations about which activists were other parties are jealous of how good charge.” To advertise in any of our print publications or on our website, the most vitriolic were taken from a [Green LGBT policies] are, and if so e problem is, of course, putting please contact our Business Manager number of long-form pieces posted they’re always welcome to join the this into practice. Although Cambridge to the Talking Philosophy blog. Is that Green surge.” Or steal the policies? was a comparatively good result for the Telephone: 01223 337575 background a problem in the age of so- “We welcome recycling of our poli- Greens nationally at the last election cial media? cies,” he says, smiling wryly. (7.6 per cent), it still pales in compari- Email: [email protected] “Yeah, possibly. e way it should It is on those policies that the elec- son to the other parties. How feasible Website: www.varsitypublications.co.uk be, it seems to me, is that philosophy tion will be decided. Read is the na- is it that he’ll be elected? should be the basis of politics... it can tional transport spokesman: I ask him “Right now we’ve got a long way to go wrong, especially when people look about this, given the recent specula- go”, he says. “We’re hoping that the at things in a superfi cial way and quote tion about the future of public trans- Green surge nationally is going to con- things out of context.” He calls the port in Cambridge. tinue, that our polling numbers [and] original Independent and Pink News Immediately he perks up, and refers membership numbers are going to articles about his comments (which me to the Transport Green Book for carry on going up. What we’re saying have since been updated) “utterly Cambridge, a detailed, 33-page policy to people is: ‘Come on, now’s the time misleading.” document he co-authored. to vote for what you believe in.’” “It was appalling journalism... it’s “It’s the linchpin of our election “Tactical voting is so over,” he adds. “People voted tactically at the last election and all it got them was David Cameron in Downing Street. If peo- Looking for work ple vote for what they believe in, in Cambridge, then we can win. We can win... ere’s an unprecedented pos- this summer? sibility here.” However, he says, even ✓ if he does lose, “I’m very hopeful that Opposition to ✓ Stop building we will have done something positive The University of Cambridge International Summer austerity nuclear power to the politics of Cambridge and of Schools is ofering challenging paid work in July this country and that we will be build- ✓ Raise the stations ing for the longer term... Part of what and August for Cambridge undergraduate and you do in politics, and you never know graduate students. As one of a team of Cambridge minimum wage ✓ Renationalise how successful it’s going to be, is you to the level of a railways change the agenda, you change peo- Student Assistants you’ll need customer-care living wage ple’s sense of what’s possible.” and administrative skills, initiative and tact. ✓ Introduce a Is the increased attention for the ✓ Greens a worry? Some of their poli- Two Library Assistant posts are also available. Expand housing 20mph residential cies have earned derision over recent stock speed limit weeks. “Well, look, UKIP don’t have any For full details and an application form, ✓ Scrap tuition fees ✓ policies. We have policies. When you call network: 60850 or 01223 760850 End animal testing have policies, that’s something for people to shoot at.” Read is optimistic, or email: [email protected] ✓ Ban fracking ✓ Introduce a though: he cites the Votes for Policies Closing date for applications: 9 March 2015. ✓ citizens’ income website, where at time of writing the Scrap HS2 Green Party leads by a signifi cant mar- gin in terms of policy approval among 4 Friday 13th February 2015 News Searching for salvation
Sarah Sheard explores the Christian Union’s mission week, ‘ e Search’, to see why saving Cantabrigians’ souls is at the heart of their organisation
ithout wishing to I left the talk feeling overwhelmed by were currently in hell with Hitler. e events, and three evening talks, all Trinitarian and CICCU member undermine my jour- the CICCU members’ utter joy and en- response came that there were “degrees with plentiful food provided. How any- Hannah Roberts, she agreed that, with- nalistic integrity, thusiasm at my interest in Christ. of punishment” and that hell is not a one could give up that much of their out a specifi c denomination, the main there is little I will As I began attending their events, “one-size-fi ts-all” place where Hitler is time here in Cambridge is, and always role of CICCU is evangelical. Like most not do if there is CICCU was hosting their main ‘mis- sat next to your grandmother. But there will be, beyond me. of the CICCU members I had met over evenW a slim opportunity for free food. sion week’. is seemed the perfect was defi nitely no contradiction. But evangelism is, in some respects, the past few weeks, she was bright and And so the idea of investigating atti- chance to comprehend how and why After the talk I went up to talk to the something that anyone can get behind cheerful and irrepressibly enthusiastic tudes towards religious conversion in CICCU tries to spread the good news; speaker, Michael. I asked if he found it – belief in God, Jesus and the Holy about her religion; she said that it was, Cambridge was, indeed, the Holy Grail and so, hoping to understand more a challenge to preach the word of God Ghost pre-requisite, of course. And to some extent, natural for Christians of investigation topics; after obtaining about what they were aiming to achieve to university students – university be- what increasingly struck me as the to want to share the good news with so many free doughnuts outside Cin- in this week, entitled ‘ e Search’ and ing, in general, a hub of pre-marital week went on was how vague a lot of their friends because it was the way die’s courtesy of the Cambridge Inter- packed with FLT-style events, I went sex, alcohol, drugs, and generally the the Christian ideology was; nothing to the most satisfi ed life, and that “you Collegiate Christian Union (CICCU), along to their main weekly meeting, least stereotypically Christian behav- was said which could have pin-pointed wouldn’t really love your friends if you for this heathen, food seemed to play a known as ‘Central’. iour around. He laughed at this and a specifi c branch of Christianity, just didn’t want to share that with them”. large role in the matter. Central was more like a traditional said that his hope for the people who broad and comprehensively ‘Christian’ I asked if CICCU members genu- I doubt that I am alone in being in- church service than the FLTs. While I came to the talk was that they might beliefs. inely believed that their friends would trigued by the mysterious people with enjoyed the hymns, I was a little per- know God not as vindictive, restrictive One CICCU attendee confi ded in go to hell if they did not come to doughnuts and water outside Cindie’s, turbed by the way some attendees or overly moralising, but experience me that she privately thought that the Christianity; Hannah replied that “we and that’s probably by design. CICCU’s would raise one arm at a particularly the joy of knowing him. overwhelming focus on evangelism do believe that Judgement is real” and website immediately emphasises their poignant point in the song, a level of In many respects, the utter dedica- was a tactic to avoid having Christians agreed that a friend rejecting her ap- dedication to evangelism, describing visceral emotional engagement that tion of the CICCU committee will al- of diff erent branches sat bickering peals to come to a CICCU talk or chat themselves as “a bunch of Cambridge seemed oddly out of place. e entire ways be somewhat of a mystery to me; in a room. When I about the Bible can be diffi cult to deal students who are convinced it is service was geared towards preparing in the ‘mission week’ they ran sat down with with. But she said, smiling, that even worth telling the whole of the rest of for mission week, bookended with ad- fi ve lunchtime talks, if a friend rejects Christianity now, Cambridge about who Jesus is”. vice to make the most of this “best last three interna- she continues to hope that “one day” Yet often I think these momentary tionals’ they will fi nd Jesus and come to know encounters go unnoticed, for the most his love, and live the “fulfi lled” life he part. It is much easier to accept a free makes possible. doughnut on a cold night out without Hannah’s undaunted hope that the accepting the complex social, politi- people she loves will come to Jesus cal and emotional baggage of religious YOU WOULDN’T REALLY and, in turn, experience salvation doctrine that goes with it. And the very LOVE YOUR FRIENDS IF YOU from judgement, seemed to epito- idea of students giving up their pre- mise the impervious optimism of cious time and energy to “spread the DIDN’T WANT TO SHARE CICCU as whole. Evangelism good news” seems even more extraor- may be a handy way to side- dinary in Cambridge, where free time [CHRISTIANITY] WITH THEM step a lot of theological in- is like gold dust and converting uni- fi ghting, but the CICCU versity students to a Christian lifestyle members’ intrinsic de- seems like an impossible task. So I set chance” to help other students know sire for their friends to out to try and understand how and why about Christianity. e main prayers know the joy of Christ conversion is at the centre of CICCU’s asked God to bless committee mem- fuels the organisa- existence. bers for the upcoming week and to tion through long My fi rst foray into CICCU was at- “open the hearts” of those who attend- mission weeks, tending one of their weekly ‘Friday ed the events, who were “so desperate” and countless Lunchtime Talks’ (FLT) held in St without Jesus in their lives. is was rejections. Andrew’s the Great church near evidently a huge focus, and I wasn’t Christ’s. CICCU’s website describes quite sure how much of it was based on these talks as “an opportunity to en- the fact that it directly preceded mis- gage with the issues and objections sion week. that people in the university have Doubtless, when we were encour- with Christianity”. e talk I attended aged to split up into smaller groups seemed surprisingly secular, namely, to pray, the two girls next to me both “Is justice really the foundation of voiced prayers for God to help the week English law?” run smoothly, but one also said that a e talk started in a promisingly ob- friend of hers, whom she’d been asking jective way, asking whether there was to come along to CICCU for a while, one concept of “justice” and then ex- had fi nally agreed to come to an event. ploring how diff erent ideas of justice She bowed her head and softly asked can clash in the implementation of law. for her friend’s heart to be “opened to en, suddenly, the lecturer claimed your light”. there was only one true justice, which With her obviously heartfelt sin- naturally, apparently, presupposed a cerity in mind, I went along to one higher moral being, and that was God. of the mission week talks at Great St I suppose I shouldn’t have found the Mary’s church; “how can a loving God sudden introduction of God into the send people to hell?” An eff ervescent talk so jarring, particularly at a talk run speaker named Michael gave a twenty by CICCU, but the thread of the argu- minute talk, which at times was more ment was still lost on me. akin to stand-up, with some pretty hu- After the talk, doughnuts were morous anecdotes about having your brought around, and the socialising bag searched at airport security and began in earnest. I was sat next to a throwing computers out of windows. tall, smiley girl who had immediately And yet, while he emphasised that turned to me to rave about the talk. Her the “turn or burn” style of Christian utter enthusiasm for the most basic as- evangelism was defi nitely not worth
pects of Cambridge small talk (name, pursuing, he did make things pretty MAEVE SLATTERY college, subject) really struck me, as clear: God has no interest in forcing did her excitement when I mentioned I you to accept him, and he takes no was interested in getting involved with pleasure in condemning even the very CICCU. “ at’s great!” she beamed, worst of humankind to hell, but that and then introduced me to the head of there is no get-out clause for generally the society, Anna, who took my details good people who are not Christians. with the same irrepressible cheerful- In one of the questions afterwards, a ness, promising to email me about a student asked if this meant that the 6 college prayer group. million Jews who died in the Holocaust News Friday 13th February 2015 5 Fitz debates CUSU disaffi liation Fitz considers leaving CUSU on 24th January. Describing a previous have the potential to signifi cantly im- Corpus still receives sexual health and smoke it”. CUSU meeting as “pointless as usual”, pact on Fitzwilliam College’s access supplies for its students on an indi- Discussion ended with a decision in a series of recent JCR Fitzwilliam JCR listed some of its dis- programme. vidual basis and still participates in to expand the debate to include other meetings contents with the organisation. e following week’s meeting, how- the shadowing scheme, while Caius colleges and the student body of Fitz. e debate concerning possible dis- ever, concluded that “the JCR is con- relies on the NHS as a sexual health “We will ultimately have a discus- T ll Sch fer affi liation centred on the two main cerned with the current undergradu- provider. sion/debate fi rst with Helen and the issues of sexual health supplies and ates of Fitz”, and hence access should e experiences of these two colleg- other affi liated JCR presidents, and Deputy News Ed tor the university shadowing scheme. not prominently feature in its delib- es have formed a key part of the disaf- then with college, which we would According to the minutes of the meet- erations. It also concluded that “there fi liation debate. It was therefore decid- like to do before third years leave, as Fitzwilliam College JCR has decided ing, CUSU’s supply of contraceptives would be no change to sexual health ed at the second meeting to call for an they have the most experience of what to hold discussions with its members and other sexual health items is sub- supplies”, as students remain eligible organised discussion with the head of CUSU actually off ers,” it concluded. concerning possible disaffi liation from stantial enough that any alternative for these thanks to their individual af- CUSU, Helen Hoogewerf-McComb, A Fitz representative summarised CUSU. systems would be short-term and fi liation to CUSU. and the leader of a disaffi liated JCR. e question of Fitz’s continued par- could not match the current system. Currently only Gonville and Caius Central to the discussion has been ticipation in the students’ union was e potential loss of the CUSU shad- and Corpus Christi have led successful the fi ndings of the Robinson Report, heavily debated during a meeting held owing scheme was also thought to disaffi liation campaigns. not available to the JCR at the time of the fi rst meeting. Detailing the various benefi ts of “CUSU SAID THEY’D SEND A HORACE CO affi liation and consequences of dis- affi liation, the report, compiled for HANDBOOK, BUT HEY, CUSU the Robinson College Students’ Association, aims to give a clear out- SAY A LOT OF THINGS” line of the position of a college within CUSU structures. e failure of current CUSU the current state of the debate: President Helen Hoogewerf-McComb “ is is not a ‘campaign’ in the tra- to supply Fitz with the updated report ditional sense nor has the JCR collec- in time for the 24th January meeting tively formed an opinion on CUSU. was cited as “a classic show of CUSU We have simply decided to debate this effi ciency”. issue as individuals amongst the wider Representatives of Fitzwilliam JCR student body,” they said. said the report “seeks to be impartial JCR Vice-President Damiano Sogaro and objective in regards to the value gave Varsity the following statement: of CUSU membership. As such, it was “Although I strongly feel that CUSU is (once acquired) fundamental to our neither as effi cient (and consequently decision to hold a ‘general meeting’.” not as helpful) nor as active as it might Shots directed at CUSU in the min- be, this does not mean that it is not a utes of the earlier meeting include the force for good. accusation that “CUSU said they’d “ e only question is whether disaf- send an informative handbook, but fi liation provides a greater ‘good’ than hey, CUSU say a lot of things”. staying with CUSU. e only way to In the ‘actions to be taken’ section, come to an answer is through an in- Fitzwilliam College’s JCR has commenced debates on the consequences of CUSU membership CUSU were told “Put that in your pipe formed debate.” Brothers speaks out against transphobia Labour’s fi rst blind transgen- “I don’t believe in censorship,” but When questioned by the audience endorsed campaigns like Trans Media about the upcoming election, Brothers der parliamentary candidate Watch that hold the press to account gave a vague but notable suggestion speaks at the Union for the bullying and harassment of that Labour would consider entering JIAMENG GAO trans people, and suggested that the a coalition, but she still emphasised Sarah Coll ns press needed to remain independent Labour’s ambitions in the election. but required tighter regulation. “We are campaigning for a majority,” News Corrrespondent When an audience member asked she said. When asked if Ed Miliband was Emily Brothers has hit back after Ger- competent as a leader, her response maine Greer’s recent appearance at was simply “yes”. the Cambridge Union. She addressed the question of mak- Speaking on Wednesday night, ing politics more appealing to young Labour’s fi rst blind transgender parlia- “IN AN IDEAL WORLD I people with the suggestion that a wid- mentary candidate used her talk at the er social media presence would attract Union to highlight the rights of trans WOULDN’T HAVE TO SPEAK attention, but quippped: “I suggest people to be protected from ridicule. some of my shadow cabinet don’t go Following a policy-oriented talk OUT ABOUT MY GENDER nightclubbing too often.” given to Cambridge University Labour IDENTITY” Brothers was scathing about the Club, the Labour candidate for Sutton Conservatives. and Cheam drew warm reactions from When asked if she thought it was a quiet union chamber as she veered possible to be an LGBT Tory, she from the speaking style of a sesasoned how Brothers felt speaking from responded: politician to paint a personal picture the same platform that had hosted “I couldn’t imagine being a of a woman who has battled with de- Germaine Greer, whose anti-trans Conservative.” She condemned pression and the constant feeling that views caused further controversy Conservative views that she feels are something did not fi t. during her Union talk on 26 January, stagnant, describing their core values Brothers was steadfast as she de- Brothers appeared unruffl ed and gave as “failed ideas”. scribed life’s many challenges. “I use her little air time. She did, however, recognise that my resilience,” she said. “We do not deserve ridicule,” she David Cameron had been “brave” in With regards to Rod Liddle, the Sun stated emphatically. his passing of equal marriage. columnist who said that she could not Brothers also challenged the audi- Brothers spoke with excitement know that she was “the wrong sex” be- ence to question the way people with about the current and future Labour cause she was blind, she said: disabilities are portrayed in the media, movement as she detailed her memo- “I asked him whether he knows that describing an incident when she was ries of the “solidarity” of the picket line he is a man when the lights are off ,. interviewed for an article, and the edi- in Liverpool during her childhood, and Much of Brothers’ address criticised tors decided to use a photo of David spoke of that same solidarity within the tabloids and spoke of a constant Blunkett’s dog to accompany it, rather Labour today. fear of being “outed” by the media than a photo of Brothers herself. Her fi ght for “social justice” was while trying to build a political career. Reading from notes in braille, unapologetic as she claimed Labour “In an ideal world, I wouldn’t have Brothers again turned to wit to chal- would achieve “economic recovery for to speak out about my gender identity, lenge the unwillingness of the media to the many, not the privileged few”. because it would be private,” she said. promote a positive image of disabled She closed by extending an invita- Brothers defended freedom of individuals. “I know I’m not glamor- tion to the audience – “Join us on this speech, declaring: ous,” she joked. radical journey”. Brothers spoke at the Union on Wednesday 11th February 30 News Friday 13th February 2015 7 University chancellors reject Labour’s proposal to cut tuition fees £6,000 fees for higher educa- Imogen Franklin, a second year English student, commented: “If fees were to tion deemed ‘implausible’ be reduced, a graduate tax might make
more sense as a buff er strategy to JOANNA KIYONÉ Kenza Bryan avoid pressure on university funding. News Correspondent Currently the money parents spend to
top up their kids’ students loans acts as JOANNA KIYONÉ An open letter by a coalition of uni- a graduate tax of sorts.” versity vice-chancellors has warned e Liberal Democrat and that reducing tuition fees from £9,000 Conservative coalition tripled tuition to £6,000 a year would “damage the fees to a maximum of £9,000 per year economy, aff ect the quality of students’ education, and set back work on wid- ening access to higher education”. e letter, published by the Times was signed by 19 English board mem- bers of Universities UK (UUK), rep- £10BN OF ADDITIONAL PUBLIC resenting various institutions includ- ing the University of Bath and the FUNDING WOULD NEED TO BE University of Bristol. e group warned that “at least FOUND £10 billion of additional public fund- ing would need to be found and ring- fenced over the course of the next par- in September 2012, prompting wide- Labour have hinted that they will reveal their fee propasal later this month liament to close the gap” and dubbed spread criticism concerning graduate to examine the quantitative eff ect party, fi rst announced plans to cut Department for Education, comment- the proposal “implausible”, given the debt and the potential impact on stu- they were having on universities and tuition fees from £9000 to £6000 at the ed, “in the next couple of weeks, it will major parties’ commitment to spend- dents from poorer backgrounds. students. party’s 2011 conference in London, but of course become principally an elec- ing cuts. According to the BBC’s assistant Sir Steve Smith, president of no further announcement was made tion battleground issue”. e letter also pointed out that a political editor Norman Smith, “tre- Universities UK in 2010 when MPs on the topic at the offi cial conference Appearing on Radio 4’s current af- simple reduction in tuition fees would bled fees have deterred thousands of voted to raise tuition fees to £9,000, in 2014. fair sshow, e World at One, the benefi t higher-earning graduates more potential students from applying.” Noa now estimates that the cost of a £6,000 In a recent interview with Varsity, Shadow Education Secretary Tristram greatly, and called on the government Lessof-Gendler, a second year English tuition fee policy would be two billion Shadow Education Minister Tristram Hunt stated that Labour was “not go- to instead increase support for student student at Corpus, said that “reversing pounds a year. Hunt refused to comment on the mat- ing into the election with promises we living costs. the Tory fee policy will raise the mo- UUK acknowledges, however, that ter, but hinted that campaign decisions can’t fulfi l”, reassuring voters that his In December 2013 the Shadow rale of young people and their faith in the reduction in fees remains “specula- would be announced in February. party “are going to have a fully-costed Universities Minister Liam Byrne an- the government”. tion”, as Labour has not explicitly com- Sir David Bell, the vice-chancel- proposal, which supports our univer- nounced that it was Labour’s long- Universities UK set up a panel at mitted to the proposal as yet. lor of the University of Reading and sities, delivers fair access and a good term goal to introduce a “graduate tax”. the time of the raise in tuition costs Ed Miliband, leader of the Labour former permanent secretary at the return for the taxpayer.” 8 Friday 13th February 2015 News NEWS IN Action for #endweek5blues BRIEF campaign gets underway
of the campaign. Although all present CDE’s programme of were in favour of pushing for the im- events begins plementation of a reading week, it was stressed that those attending wanted ANDREW CONNELL Eddy Wax to make the student body aware of the apparent structural oppression News Correspondent Cambridge lab raided that students at the university are sub- jected to. Government agents have raided a Cambridge Defend Education’s week One issue specifi cally discussed was laboratory in Milton to stop the pro- of events to mark its #endweek5blues the need to distance the initiative from duction of an unlicenced cancer ther- campaign was launched this ursday. the idea that students merely want an apy. Regulators in Guernsey informed e campaign, which advocates intro- additional holiday. e campaign also their UK counterparts that Immuno ducing nine week terms with a reading aims to discredit the notion that the Biotech was using products not fi t for week in week fi ve, aims to highlight immense pressure of a Cambridge de- humans and non-sterile equipment to mental health issues that arise from gree is an essential part of the experi- produce a protein therapy that claims mid-term stress with a series of events ence of studying in Cambridge. to be able to cure HIV and cancer; no including a rally on 18 February, the In a Varsity survey, 53 per cent of trials have yet been completed. launch of a CUSU mandated petition students were in favour of a change and the publication of a CDE zine. in term length. However, 53 per cent e campaign has posted a series said they were either unsure or did of messages on its Facebook page as not know whether CDE’s overall im- students begin their protests. pact in Cambridge had been positive “You are legally entitled to engage or negative, while 14 per cent thought in protest and CUSU Council has vot- it was negative. ed that CUSU should act to protect e campaign has also been backed Mamma mia! “Mario students engaging in strike action,” by a vote in CUSU Council. Bros” a ack music shop one reads. “As a student union, your Speaking at the fi rst Council meet- JCR or MCR, along with CUSU, have ing of Lent term, CUSU President CDE have revealed plans for a rally to mark the end of Week 5 Two men attacked the PMT Music a legal duty to protect students from Helen Hoogewerf-McComb argued Shop on East Road while dressed victimisation for taking part in politi- that a reading week would increase the e measures planned by CDE echo Huffi ngton Post. in stolen costumes of the Nintendo cal protest.” quality of work submitted and would university-wide calls for an end to the “I’d rather that my university didn’t characters Mario and Luigi. is week CDE has also published a draft halt the University from “rewarding apparent institutionalised pressure ex- discriminate in this way against vul- Lawrence King, 25, was sentenced email for students who wish to bring the ability to work without sleep”. erted on the students of Cambridge. nerable members of its student body,” to eight weeks in prison, suspended their support for the campaign to On Tuesday morning, CDE be- Daisy Hughes, CUSU Women and she wrote. for a year, after pleading guilty to their supervisors’ attention to use. gan publicising “solidarity squares”, Class Campaign Manager and found- “I think that we can keep the aca- drunkenly assaulting staff and trying e open meeting, which took place blue felt badges that allow the wearer ing member of Whose University?, demic rigour for which Cambridge is to steal a guitar and keyboard while at the University Centre last Tuesday, to make clear their support for the expressed her views on the #endweek- famous while adapting the system so dressed as Mario in January. also focussed on the aims and direction campaign. fi veblues initiative in an article for the it doesn’t break the people in it.”
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041050-345x270-AD.indd 1 26/01/2015 16:10 10 Friday 13th February 2015 News Government U-turns on young Cambridge cancer patient’s benefi ts Suff erer’s Disability the brain,” with a further two years of had supported her family, as “without chemotherapy in prospect, but that the help of our friends and community Living Allowance “DWP staff showed little regard for we would have truly been stuck.” our situation.” Friday’s protest began with an al- reinstated during protest GEMMA MAITLAND Shortly after the protest started, tercation between security personnel by residents news broke that the Millers’ claim had and protestor James Nichols, who was been favourably settled by the DWP. physically restrained after attempting Gemma Ma tland Cambridge MP Julian Huppert, who to place a banner over the Job Centre’s intervened on behalf of the family, said window. Speaking to police later, News Correspondent they would receive additional support Nichols said the use of force had been for the months they’d been waiting, “entirely unnecessary. ey could have A U-turn by the Department for Work compensation, and will not be subject asked us to remove the banner, but and Pensions (DWP) was met with to review for four years. they didn’t.” cheers from a small, but vocal, group Daniel Brett, the demonstration or- of protestors gathered outside Ches- ganiser, admitted he had no personal terton Road’s Job Centre on Friday 6th connection to the Miller’s, explaining: February, in support of seven-year-old “I don’t know the family but, as a fa- Cambridge resident and cancer suf- ther of a child the same age as Tommi, ferer, Tommi Miller. “I’M FED UP OF SEEING PEOPLE I understood.” He went on, “I’m fed up e organisers took action after of seeing people pushed into destitu- learning that Tommi’s family had been PUSHED INTO DESTITUTION tion for ‘austerity’.” forced to rely on food bank assist- FOR ‘AUSTERITY’” Among the protestors was ten-year- ance for months, following the DWP’s old Sara, who held a sign she created refusal last year to award Disability with her younger brother. Her father, Living Allowance. Arsalan, said Sara had pushed him to e family had previously received Huppert was “delighted” at the re- attend. the benefi t but, when Tommi briefl y sult, but admitted, “I really wish the He commented, “anybody can be went into remission last April, the sup- DWP had sorted this out correctly the vulnerable to situations like this,” and port was withdrawn, despite his ongo- fi rst time.” hoped to “show solidarity, not just ing medical treatment. When asked about her feelings re- with the Miller family, but with eve- When the cancer returned in garding the decision, Ruth stressed ryone in this country who’s suff ering September – aff ecting Tommi’s spinal that other families continue to endure under austerity.” cord, brain stem and bone marrow similar situations: “I really just hope On learning of the protest, Tommi’s – the family continued to be denied no-one else has to suff er like we did.” mum said it had come as a “complete benefi ts. Ruth, along with a friend, now hopes shock,” but added “we were pleasantly His mother, Ruth, explained that to found a charity aimed at helping surprised that people took time out to Tommi had recently undergone others in comparable circumstances. do such a bold, brave thing for us and “eighteen sessions of radiotherapy to She was also keen to thank those who we thank all involved so very much.” A protester at the rally last Friday
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patterns and trends). University street and e Centre for Economics and cross-university facility Business Research estimates that the
DUANE WESSELS big data marketplace could benefi t the to be named after UK economy to the tune of £216 bil- computer scientist lion, creating 58,000 new jobs in the UK by 2017. Joe Rob nson Cambridge, alongside other leading British universities such as Oxford, News Correspondent Edinburgh, UCL and Warwick, will
Following Benedict Cumberbatch’s Academy Award-nominated perform- ance in e Imitation Game, the Uni- versity of Cambridge is set to honour the life and achievements of code- “AN IMMENSELY EXCITING breaking genius Alan Turing by nam- OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ing a road after him on the North West Cambridge Development. e univer- COLLECTIVE EXPERTISE OF sity will also play a central role in es- tablishing the cross-university Alan CAMBRIDGE” Turing Institute. e Cambridge alumnus, who stud- ied mathematics at King’s College and contribute funding, academics and graduated with fi rst-class honours research to the British Library-based in 1934, is among the notable fi g- facility. ures whose names are to be used for e institute will receive primary streets on the North West Cambridge funding in the form of a £42 million Development, which is due to be com- endowment from the British govern- pleted in 2017. ment, with its delivery being coordi- e 150-hectare development, locat- nated by the Engineering and Physical ed on farmland on Madingley Road, is Sciences Research Council. set to include a primary school, 3,000 Cambridge academic Professor Paul new homes, a Sainsbury’s supermar- Alexander commented: “ e Alan ket and academic and research facili- Turing Institute is an immensely excit- ties. e development is forecasted to ing opportunity for the collective ex- cost in excess of £1 billion by its com- pertise of Cambridge and its partners pletion. Other fi gures such as Hughes to rise to this very important challenge Hall founder Margaret Wileman and The mathematician helped crack the Nazi Enigma code at Bletchley Park and make a huge contribution to the archaeologist Miles Burkitt are set to future success of the UK economy, our have streets named after them as well. Turing’s scholarly legacy is also being Institute. use of computer science, algorithms, ability to provide health and societal Renowned for his work in crack- carried forward by Cambridge aca- Announced in Chancellor George advanced mathematics and “big data” benefi ts and the ability of British uni- ing the Nazi Enigma code at Bletchley demics who are playing a leading role Osborne’s 2014 Budget, the institute (extremely large data sets which are versities to remain at the cutting edge Park during the Second World War, in the foundation of the Alan Turing will promote the development and analysed computationally to reveal of research”. Universities’ T&Cs ‘breach consumer law’
Other students complained about Which? reveals some assessment methods diff ering from unis use ‘unlawful’ terms those advertised, shifting from course- work to examinations, or about being in ability to change forced to repeat topics because of fi nal course content year modules being cut entirely from the degree course. 26 institutions were FLICKR : LESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY Jack H gg ns also found to be breaching the law by using terms that permit them to in- News Correspondent crease fees with no prior warning of the size of the increase. A fi fth of universities are acting unlaw- Which? Executive Director Richard fully in the legal terms they use regard- Lloyd expressed concern over the ing course modifi cations, a report by “widespread use of unfair terms”, Which? has revealed. Furthermore, over half of UK universities have been found to use terms that allow them to change the content and mode of assess- ment of courses as they choose. Only fi ve per cent of universities were found UNIVERSITIES CAN CURRENTLY not to have used unlawful terms. e report was based on responses DRAMATICALLY CHANGE – OR to Freedom of Information Act re- SOMETIMES ENTIRELY CLOSE – quests from 142 UK universities. 49 institutions were criticised for not COURSES DURING STUDENTS’ providing suffi cient information for Which? to analyse. STUDIES Megan Dunn, NUS Vice President, welcomed the report’s emphasis on “valid and long standing concerns whilst the Competition and Markets about fairness and protection for stu- Authority (CMA) is looking to exam- dents”. She said it was “completely ine evidence from this report. e gov- unacceptable” that “universities can ernment department disclosed that 31 currently dramatically change – or per cent of universities used wording sometimes entirely close – courses that may infringe upon the law. Many students receive different course options and assessment from those advertised during students’ studies”, and called for Conversely, Nicola Dandridge, Chief a “frank conversation” on the issue. Executive of Universities UK, argued but instances where the course has believes that it treats its students fairly. Competition and Markets Authority In one particular instance, a student that student satisfaction is at an all- “been turned on its head”, as a student If course changes are proposed, the draft guidance and has its recommen- was alerted two weeks before starting time high and that a unique part of the at the University of Greenwich com- University takes care to ensure that dations under consideration.” university that she had to study an en- university experience is that courses plained to the Guardian newspaper. no student is disadvantaged, and that e CMA plans to publish its full tire extra subject she had not signed change according to current research. e University of Cambridge has not information for prospective students advice shortly and is setting a time up for, in combination with her origi- e problems do not, however, regard been found to be using unlawful terms. is accurate. limit for when it expects universities nal degree. the implementation of new modules, A spokesman told Varsity: “Cambridge “ e University has responded to the to comply. 12 Friday 13th February 2015 News The Interview: Quentin Blake
DRAWING ROALD DAHL
Ellie Olcott meets Sir Quentin Blake, Britain’s best-loved illustrator, to talk about his student years and working with Roald Dahl
n the proceeding few days that much time drawing whilst at relate to the author in a way. And then authors, such as David Walliams on opinions like that... I want to make before I had the good fortune to Cambridge, wryly admitting “I think I’d go to him and go through it all and his recent novel, he Boy in the Dress. fun of people but not to attack them” speak with Quentin Blake in his I thought I ought to be more serious”. get his comments”. Blake deliberates here are a few drawings scattered I think the reason people are so London studio, I was very aware He led a fairly “quiet life” at Downing on his choice of words when he says across his desk which he is currently fond of his work is because it seems to ofI what a pervasive impact he has had College: “I did a lot of reading”. Study- “he could be quite a tough character… working on. hese are going to deco- evoke a feeling of freedom and joy in on British culture. I spent one day ing English “contributed” to his desire he was capable of falling out with peo- rate the walls of a parent’s room at the observer. His work appears spon- in London and I saw people eating ple if he thought it would produce the Great Ormond Street Hospital. Why taneous and free, does the drawing Ben’s Cookies, the logo of which Blake right results!” do people ask him to do drawings for process relect this? “If it goes over drew; I noticed a plethora of greetings Evidence of this “very good” work- hospitals and care homes? “Generally the line, it isn’t really by accident! Its cards and even bed sheets donning ing relationship is manifest in the I’m quite good at cheering people up!” scratchy and looks like it hasn’t been his work. Why does his work con- production of he BFG in 1982. his He adds after some contemplation, inished but really its exactly what I tinue to be so popular? he answer is was the irst long book Dahl and Blake “You can only be cheerful in the way intend. I think the drawings appear simple: it makes people happy. here DAHL POSTED HIS OWN worked on together and it was then you draw. You can’t be inappropriately spontaneous much in the same way is something irresistibly and relent- SANDALS TO HIM, WITH A that the “the collaboration really got cheerful and you have to keep a lot of someone acting on stage appears to lessly charming about his drawings under way”. Most children’s writers things out of these pictures”. be spontaneous, even though they and after spending over an hour in his NOTE SAYING “THIS IS WHAT only commission a few illustrations He recently did some paintings for have rehearsed it many times! People company, I can say that this charm in order to render the book more an eating disorder clinic in central acting, speaking lines as if he just extends to his personality. THE BFG WOULD WEAR!” aesthetically pleasing. Dahl however London. his commission was par- thought of them”. Blake welcomes me into his spa- broke convention by demanding more ticularly sensitive because “normally I Blake is kind enough to humour cious lat where he works. he large and more drawings from Blake. like to draw in parallel worlds but here my audacious request that he draw windows that look over a typical to become involved in the world of Dahl originally described the BFG they [the patients] were already in a something for Varsity. I watch as London green square let light stream iction. He spends a long time getting as “wearing an apron and boots”, kind of parallel world which isn’t very he conjures up a true Blake-esque in and provide the perfect environ- “a sense of the mood of the story”, something which he altered when good. So with those, I drew pictures drawing of some students reading ment for his drawing. he studio is typically reading the manuscript twice he saw the materialisation of this in of ordinary life wanting to convey that this venerable newspaper. I can’t stop illed with hundreds of books that he in order to make the illustrations Blake’s drawings. he apron, accord- ‘it’s alright’”. He tried to incorporate smiling as I hear the scratchings of his has illustrated; a sign of his proliic “part of the interpretation”. ing to Dahl, “got in the way”, “you food in subtle and inofensive ways: pen against the paper, “I’m not going career. Does the fact people still love People associate Blake most closely don’t think about it when you’re a woman feeding birds for example. to draw King’s College Chapel you his art encourage him to continue to with the novelist Roald Dahl, with writing it but he has to run across the Someone who had previously sufered know!” he jokes. work with such zeal? “I think I’d do it whom he illustrated 18 books. Was mountains and jump up and down!” from anorexia contacted Blake and I was afraid before conducting anyways!” he says with a gleeful smile, Dahl very precise in his demands Blake knew the boots had to go when told him that when “you look at them this interview that if I found Blake to but acknowledges, “It helps”. Blake has of Blake? “He wasn’t prescriptive Dahl posted his own sandals to him, and you don’t feel criticised, you feel be a person who had let his success always been interested in literature, but I think he knew how to be if he with a note saying “his is what the accepted”. take over his personality, it would which he studied at Cambridge. He wanted!” Blake says light-heartedly. BFG would wear!” he illustrations His work has always been done somehow taint his drawings; drawings looks back fondly on his student years He describes the working relationship Blake produced are integral to the with the intention of making people which let me hark back to a happy and with hindsight says it was the he had with Dahl: “First I would ind reading of Dahl books. hey have happy. But has he ever considered childhood. right decision not to go to art school the moments that would be good to enabled generations of children to be engaging in the more satirical side Any feeling of nostalgia is well straight away: “I thought, if I go to illustrate, and then do a set of draw- exposed to the brilliant imagination of of illustration and drawing political protected however, as I can say with Cambridge, I will carry on drawing, ings of what I thought the characters these two men. cartoons? “It’s not that I don’t have all conidence that Blake is not only a but if I go to Art school, I might stop looked like because you want to relate Nowadays Blake keeps himself very opinions. It’s just I can’t seem to work brilliant artist, but also a thoroughly reading!” In the end he did not spend to the manuscript before you want to busy as he continues to work with in that way. I never wanted to express nice man. CommentComment Friday 13th February 2015 13 Why are we so afraid to be alone?
ave you ever felt that lull at About a fortnight ago, my friend I now think of my room as a magic “brave” and aloof and self-suffi cient. the end of a night when your said perhaps one of the cleverest but dull-looking place that suspends In the end, all these considerations Hsocialising with your group things I’ve heard to date. She said, time the minute you walk in to it. My racing around my mind at hyper- comes to end with a sloped silence “Why is everyone so hell-bent on room, my delusions, my rules. speed proved too much and I got and someone breaks it by saying “… resisting their own pain?” Next came the hard stuff : eating marvelously drunk. e music was Well I’m gonna go to bed, I’m quite So I stopped resisting. I tried eat- alone. I think society really sucks for wonderful as expected. I did inevi- tired”, and you’re tired too, but your ing, working, clubbing and attend- reinforcing the idea that you must be tably bump in to a few people who heart sinks anyway – you ignore your ing events all on my own. If you’re sad if you eat alone. It makes people consistently asked me “Who are you own needs because you’re so scared like me, the thought of doing all of feel like they have an obligation to here with?”, to which my spineless to be alone? is is me, everyday. the above will scare you. You’ll ask feel pathetic even if they just want reply was “Long story”, and continued It took me a term and a half to yourself what people will think of a to eat a jacket potato in the dining dancing with a grin on my face, fl oat- realise that studying at Cambridge is person that seemingly has no friends. hall, in turn giving them this useless ing through the crowd of partygoers. an intensely solitary experience. e Perhaps you’ll feel pity. Or perhaps anxiety that they can’t shake off like For most of the night I found Husna Rizvi amount of solitude that is necessary you’ll realise that those feelings of a bad itch. at being said, nobody myself warmly lost in the music as in order to churn out that weekly pity are a manifestation of your own really seemed to care about my jacket I intended, and at other times scan- essay is, I used to think, excessive – at insecurity to spend some time with potato or me. e relief that comes ning the room for people I knew. My ‘lonely week’ times even crippling. ere were mo- yourself, and see if you’re an alright with realising that it’s not all about And then came a realisation: “Of ments when I felt like I was trapped person to hang out with – to see if you is indescribable. course you’re looking for people, you taught me not to be within my room, like an only-child you’re any fun. And the last feat of my rigorous are a social animal – it’s okay to be whose mum had left them at daycare. I went against the former for once anthropological research: going out a little needy, you can hang out with afraid of solitude Now I see my ‘me-time’ as para- and here’s how my week turned out: I alone. At the start of the week I was yourself too, you did your bit, you’re mount to my own self-suffi ciency. started out little, avoiding the library. dreading this, but towards the end I happy.” I used to rely on friends to go to I realise now that this is an institution could feel the faint glimmer of excite- In some sense, trying to sustain a talks, the UL and even coordinate built to allow us to socialise without ment upon me. forced sense of isolation perhaps only times to eat dinner in hall in order really socialising. To feel the comfort I won’t lie. I was anxious. Surely made me realise how co-dependent to spare myself the thought of eating of people around you and work at people would notice I wasn’t with I really am. Yet on the other hand I’d alone. I wasn’t just afraid of being the same time. But once I stopped anyone and therefore would deduce rather think of it as an experience seen alone, but being it too. If friends thinking of my room as a prison that that I was a friendless, boring sod. that allowed me to accept my own weren’t up for seeing Aubrey De Grey perpetuated a sense of FOMO (fear I went anyway. I was there for the vulnerability as an integral part of my talk about living forever then that of missing out), and more as my lit- music. Perhaps I’d bump in to people independence. Being alone doesn’t was it: no more Aubrey. I was miss- tle private space with good natural and they’d let me latch on to them in mean you’re lonely. And not resisting ing out because I was afraid, and I no light and silence, it got incrementally order to preserve my dignity. Perhaps it, in fact, made me happier. Even if longer wanted to be. better. I enjoyed the silence for once. people would think me cool for being just temporarily.
“What shall we watch?” I ask my it round the watering hole, over Such things are precious, yet friend. She looks at me and shrugs. waffl es. ey’ve ditched their lion fragile. ey are liable to be I shrug back. We have reached companions for the day, and left weathered by all kinds of external an all too familiar impasse. We them to look after all the cubs. forces – work, family, boyfriends, scrunch up our noses, and, with ey’re letting their (non-existent) girlfriends – not injurious in Millie indecision threatening to defeat us manes down, and are ready to themselves, but which nevertheless once again, immediately become drink that watering hole dry. take their toll. Without proper care the vultures in the Jungle Book Or, in human terms, it’s a bunch and attention, our friendships are who are actually the Beatles: “I of gals, just kicking it at the local vulnerable to knocks and scrapes, don’t know – what do you wanna watering hole, over waffl es. Lioness scratches and scuff s. ey become do?” “I don’t know – what do you or gal – there is, in this instance at dull, and gather dust. Eventually, wanna watch?” least, very little diff erence. we hide them away in drawers be- In such situations, someone If it’s not already clear to you, cause we forget their true worth. Brierley always has to pipe up and make a Galentine’s Day is the gal equiva- But that is where Galentine’s Day decision, and this time it was me. lent of Valentine’s Day. Instead of a comes in. If Parks and Rec has any- Galentine’s Day: Who needs men when “Parks and Recreation?” I off er. romantic candlelit dinner for two thing to do with it, 13th February My friend hasn’t seen it, but she’s (or a large Domino’s pizza for one, will become our yearly reminder you’ve got breakfast food? happy to give it a try. depending on your situation), you to give our friendships a quick By the end of the week, she is get together with all your gal pals buff and polish. To give them back texting me quotes from the show, for a morning of breakfast food their shine. It’s no magic formula, watching interviews with the cast and sheer revelry. It’s the talisman of course. Just like Valentine’s Day on YouTube, and reminding me, protecting you from all the violent cannot save a failing relationship, oh so wisely, that ovaries should pink and candy hearts which Galentine’s Day cannot breathe life always, always come before brova- start clubbing you over the head into a friendship where all parties ries. I have, inadvertently, created to usher in this august holiday as concerned have already started a monster. soon as the New Year begins. mourning. But that’s not to say it’s Yet, unlike Frankenstein, I Galentine’s Day is, of course, fi rst not important, all the same. can only look on proudly, as my and foremost, about having fun. It Galentine’s Day is an occasion magnum opus quotes Leslie Knope is really just an excuse for ditching to turn to the people you like – back at me, and sends me Jean work, catching up with friends, your secret keepers and treasure Ralphio memes on Facebook. is, and day drinking. But, never one to minders – and say to one another, I think to myself, must be how a let a teachable moment pass me by, “What we have is precious, and I lioness feels when she sees her cub I think we could also stand to learn want to hold on to it.” You stand in take down its fi rst gazelle. It’s a a thing or two from it as well. a circle, hold each other’s hands, magical feeling. ere is a lot to be said for main- and use your love, your laughter, ere are a lot of reasons to love taining strong bonds with friends. your happiness and your memories Parks and Rec. And Amy Poehler is For putting time into relationships as a shield to protect your friend- only one through six. e glori- with people you’ve known since ship from everything that seeks to ous abundance of breakfast food is you thought it was acceptable to tarnish it. number seven. Galentine’s Day is use the toilet at the same time Or, you order waffl es and number eight. as another human being. Or for whipped cream all round, and tell Galentine’s Day, which falls on investing in friendships which still each other why you’re all the best the 13th February every year, is like occasionally know the odd awk- people you know. Either way, those a bunch of lionesses, just kicking ward moment. lions don’t get a look-in. ‘‘ 14 Friday 13th February 2015 Comment Freedom of speech, not of abuse
ave you heard the news? of censorship, or why I should receive reason we have a concept, both in Sexual harassment policies death threats on Twitter because morality and in law, of “hate speech”, Hand Dignity at Work schemes people disliked my piece about is because we acknowledge that there are the latest assault on freedom of Germaine Greer. ere seemed to should be limits on free speech: speech. Or, at least, that’s according be no reference point in reality, but words have an impact. Violence can e Ismist to the website Spiked Online, which instead the paranoid ramblings of an be verbal as well as physical. earlier this week released its Free idiot for whom “freedom of speech” e highlighting throughout the Speech University Ranking. is was a shield to ward away monsters. Spiked report of ‘safe-spaces’ policies Allan Hennessy helpful guide used a traffi c light sys- And these monsters appeared to be and the like is hugely disturbing. Over the last couple of weeks, a tem to rank universities according to women, LGBTQ+ people, survivors ese policies exist because we have friend and I have experimented the extent to which they censor free of sexual violence, and those who ob- to live in the real world, and the real with Grindr. Having had a fl eeting speech. Such a study, in the wake of ject to using Pornhub in the computer world is not some idealised fantasy conversation, in which sexual pref- the Charlie Hebdo attacks, should be room. land where we’re on a level playing erences were exchanged, my friend an important tool for free expression. fi eld, without any discrimination on organised to meet up. When they And this would be so – if it wasn’t so the basis of being the wrong colour, arrived, they were greeted by me Chris Page fucking stupid. or attracted to the wrong sex. Having instead. e results were shocking. Cambridge is ranked ‘amber’ (hav- a ‘safe-space’ is a great aid to freedom 19 out of the 20 users were un- ing “chilled free speech through inter- of speech. It allows members of op- fazed by the change in person and e Spiked free vention”). I clicked on the Cambridge WAS IT REALLY THEIR ‘RIGHT’ pressed groups to speak without fear were still as eager as ever to “give page to see why this was, and the fi rst of being drowned out by more privi- [me] a draining”. From the outset, speech rankings are piece of evidence was the prohibitions TO SEND ME DAILY DEATH leged voices. Yes, I am acutely aware I’d like to point out that I sent on off ensive emails. Last year, I was THREATS? of the irony of me using my privileged them all packing. To dispel any themselves silencing the victim of a prolonged campaign position as a white straight boy, given myths on what this article is about, of email harassment that drove me to the platform to say this in a student it is not a criticism of casual sex, the brink of breakdown. In that case, newspaper. But it does aggravate me, nor is it a criticism of homosexual was it really their ‘right’ to send me Debates about free speech are considering that true free speech is relationships. So, what am I say- daily death threats? e second thing never far away in Cambridge. Every under threat, whether by extremist ing? Quite simply, Grindr devalues fl agged up was a prohibition on porn. year I’ve been here there have been groups or by government legislation sex, and most people who think Has Spiked confused freedom of arguments, articles and angry (*cough eresa May cough*), that this never admit it because they expression with masturbation? Facebook comment threads on the Spiked is blaming some of the very fear that they will have accusations Also fl agged, more disturbingly, subject. So let’s get back to principles. tools for empowering people to speak of social conservatism levelled at was CUSU’s anti sexual harassment Freedom of speech is, in essence, the for limiting free speech. them. policy. I’m pretty interested in my right to speak freely without censor- Spiked’s defi nition of freedom of e art of courtship is some- freedom of expression. But I missed ship. Fine. But it is conceived as a way speech is the right to say whatever thing quite beautiful. Grindr takes the memo where our society decided of protecting individuals from higher you want without fear of conse- away from that; there simply is no harassment was a fundamental right authority – in most cases, the state. It quence, whether that’s degrading, courtship involved. A typical con- of individuals, so key to our identity should not guarantee the right to be sexist, homophobic, racist, transpho- versation includes the exchange as free beings that J S Mill would turn listened to, the right to a privileged bic, or just vile. We live in an unequal of sexual preferences and nude in his grave and personally defend platform upon which to speak (possi- world. By attacking the structures photos, which, often, are miles it to the death, while asking nearby bly surrounded by high fences) or the that seek to counterbalance that, away from the truth. e fact that women to show him their breasts. right to know that you can say what- Spiked is really just trying to engage all these men were unfazed by the Scrolling through the rankings ever you like and not expect people in its own form of silencing. ey fact that they were deceived exem- perplexed me. I could fi nd no reason to call you an idiot, or even organise aren’t after freedom of speech, but plifi es the dehumanising eff ect of why trans-rights policies were cries a demonstration against you. e the freedom to be a complete dick. Grindr; as one desperate subject told me, ‘a mouth is just a mouth, an arse is just an arse’. I’m not sure I agree. We need to use our political voice Some might say that Grindr is just like ‘hooking up’ with some- n the months before the general used most in the UK by 18-24 year democratic society, several million one in a club. But that is simply election, university campuses olds, and again went unreported. people should not be excluded to untrue. On Grindr, the desire for Iacross Britain will begin to fi ll up In December, after a debate about the point that we feel our voices go sex precedes any encounter. In with leafl ets, banners, and posters. fracking at Canterbury Christ Church unheard. We have the right to feel ‘real life’, the desire for sex comes Notifi cations for voter registra- University, police rather ominously like our voices, our votes, and our after meeting your partner. tion drives, canvassing events, and asked for the names of all the at- actions are taking the country in the Some might also say that those hustings will pop up on our Facebook tendees. Our generation tends to be direction we want it to go. Most of who use Grindr know what to feeds. Everywhere you look, there’s far more liberal than the norm, and us are in a vulnerable situation just expect. Given that they consent, someone willing to give you their so there is little space for our voices because we are dependent on external it is not our place to criticise. opinion on student disengage- because of the nature of our (in more fi nancial support of some kind, but Two points are to be made here. ment with politics. We don’t vote, ways than one) conservative society. many of us also belong to groups who Firstly, I am criticising the nature we vote for the wrong people, we Eff orts to involve students in have been historically suppressed. In rather than the legality of Grindr. don’t care, we’re misinformed, we’re politics are obviously undermined by any case despite what the media and Just because adults consent to inexperienced, we’re naive, and the our reading lists suggest, rich white meaningless and dehumanised obligatory derisive comment about straight cis men are not actually a sex, that does not preclude criti- Russell Brand and the fundamental majority group and solidarity with cism. Secondly, deception in the Sriya Varadharajan fl aw he exposes in the psyches of the each other, taking into account our world of Grindr is rife. I can be a millennial generation. It’s rare, if not diff erent backgrounds and experi- liberal, too, and say that we need to outright extraordinary, to hear a voice TIME AND AGAIN, OUR DESIRES ences has to be the fi rst step towards uphold human dignity by ensuring Of course politicians asserting its confi dence in student creating that space for ourselves that people are not deceived about suppress our wishes politics. AND VOICES GO IGNORED within politics. their choices and that we need to Few people would argue that these Whether it’s voting for parties protect the vulnerable from exploi- and prospects: we let naysayers are wrong. e 18-24 that have a better track record on tation, all of which is true. demographic is consistently the one this, leaving aside the fact that these human rights and a more empathetic e gay community is as much them with the smallest voter turnout, and eff orts are often lacklustre enough manifesto, no matter how marginal, to blame for this as anyone else. many of us, when questioned about in themselves. e very concept or supporting campaigns for specifi c Consider a heterosexual version of politics, would dismiss the topic as of winning over ‘students’ seems issues such as the living wage, we can Grindr surviving the wrath of the one that is irrelevant, pointless, per- ridiculous – even in an environment only make a change when we come feminists. Do you think anyone haps even a little distasteful. “I don’t like Cambridge, which has never together and demand it. would condone a man telling a really know anything about it,” you’ll really been accused of an abundance At the end of the day, we’re adults. woman that ‘a mouth is just a hear, or, dismissively, “ ey’re all as of diversity, I’ve met far more people We’re intelligent, we’re empathetic, mouth’? Feminism would class this bad as each other, anyway.” from more varied cultural and socio- we essentially care (or we should do) as objectifi cation. Why, then, is it People often dismiss our genera- economic backgrounds in the past about the place we live in and the OK for gay men to objectify each tion as apathetic, but this apathy is few months than I would have back people we live with. Politics can be other in this fashion? I ask this born out of a fundamental scepticism home, simply by virtue of not having an eff ective tool for creating a more question as a gay man myself. I am most teenagers and young adults lived in the same town as most of the equal society, and we should be able not going to throw around liberal have towards politics in this coun- people I know for most of my life. to play an active part in making that and conservative labels. But my try. Time and again, our desires and e big ‘student issues’ – tuition fees, happen. I believe that fundamentally, message is clear: Grindr devalues voices go ignored or are even actively and perhaps the voting age – do not most of us care about making the sex, and it is allowed to do so be- suppressed. In the past year alone, apply in the same way to all of us, and world a better place; I also believe cause the liberal cloak stops people the surge in Green Party support, bol- hardly apply at all to most. that we can come together as a com- from raising justifi ed objections. stered in no small part by students, But the fact remains that ultimately, munity to change a system that we Let’s just sit back and realise that went largely unreported by major feeling like we aren’t a part of the po- all recognise is corrupt. And most of it’s all just a bit too grim. news providers. #CameronMustGo litical scene and that we can’t change all, I believe it’s a thing worth doing, trended for weeks on a website things is fundamentally wrong. In a because we deserve better than this. Comment Friday 13th February 2015 15 This Valentine’s Day, is chivalry dead?
alentine’s Day is here and equal role, with the girl leading the housewives. Why should we want to wants instead to conform to what equality. Yet a recent study of love is in the air, but is this a way if she wishes? perpetuate this? she thinks is the ‘right’ way for a 17,000 men and women in the US Vday we can really call fair? If Valentine’s Day is to refl ect a An expectation that the man relationship to come about, and the discovered that 84 per cent of men e annual celebration of romance commitment to equality and gender should pay the bill contradicts and ‘right’ way for a girl to act, that of and 58 per cent of women said that which grips the western world is emancipation, then the latter view- undermines the push for women to being taken care of and treated as men still usually paid when the bill not only a chance for emotions and point is the one we should be en- gain equal wages and employment a beautiful princess. Fulfi lling rela- came, even when they had been with passions to run wild, but also for tak- couraging, not constricting. Despite opportunities, and women who still tionships might never happen as a their partner for some time. ing a step back and thinking about the romantic sphere being a largely want both are greatly mistaken. result of these outdated conventions, ere is still a long way to go what Valentine’s Day means in the private one, the way in which they When the man’s wallet comes out at undeniably a travesty for romance. before romantic interaction is modern age, and what it says about interact and the power dynamics the end of the meal, and his princess Certain aspects of individual person- liberated from all the outdated, society’s attitudes towards gender involved are nevertheless connected smiles and thanks him for taking her alities might never be expressed, for rigid constraints imposed on it. e roles in particular. Do we envisage to gender roles in broader society, out to dinner, the image of the pow- both men and women. gradual death of chivalry is some- the door-opening, bill-paying knight perpetuated by our longstanding erful, earning man and the soft, deli- ankfully more and more couples thing that should be celebrated as in shining armour treating his prin- ideas about romance. If the view of cate women is perpetuated, aff ecting are equalling things out with regard much as Valentine’s Day itself: it is cess to the most special evening she women as rational, autonomous be- attitudes about gender roles which to the small things like paying the good for women, whose progression could imagine, or do we think that ings, equally capable of working and can then infi ltrate into the economic bill, particularly in the student in society won’t be compromised, men and women should play a more participating in the public sphere, realm and harm the prospects of population, signalling a shift away good for men, who will rightly save is to be advanced, then the image women gaining top positions in from restrictive chivalrous attitudes money, and good for romance all of the knight in shining armour is careers of their choice. towards an emancipation of romance round, which will become far more a deeply harmful one. It suggests a But the death of chivalry is of ben- and furthering the cause of gender interesting and diverse as a result. man of power, strength and valour, efi t not only to women, but and a woman of beauty, delicateness to romance more broadly. and passivity. e idea of the dominant is is not to say that men do not male taking charge and the like beautiful women or that women woman following his lead do not often like a man of power prescribes a singular model (indeed evolutionary psycholo- of how romantic interactions gists point to cross-cultural surveys should be conducted. And showing that men put slightly more yet, in some cases, the girl value on appearance and women on might want to initiate dates status), but rather that to restrict and act as the more decisive our images of gender roles along partner or, better still, the these lines, and to actively promote two might play an equal role or expect one form of romantic in- in initiating and paying for teraction over another, is very much dates. If it feels too mechani- against the advance of women as cal splitting the bill by exact equal, and is harmful to women’s amounts after every dinner, freedom of choice. e idea of a then alternate in taking your man taking a woman out for dinner, partner out. opening doors for her as they enter Stereotypical and rigid the restaurant, pulling her chair out ideas of chivalry might pre- and then paying at the end of the vent a girl from pursuing meal is a date format rooted in an a guy because she doesn’t age when men were powerful wage- want to be seen as the one Yes: Sam Dalton earners and women domesticated doing the chasing, and
hen people hear the man – which traditionally include just as all social practices word ‘chivalry’, they courage, honour, courtesy, justice evolve with time, this Ware likely to imagine a and a readiness to help others. But does not mean that it still medieval scene involving a knight in what relevance could this hold for has to be synonymous shining armour rescuing a cowering us, in the 21st century? It certainly with such oppression maiden from some kind of deathly does not mean that we should ex- today. In fact, not only peril. Or, at the very least, they will pect men to have these qualities would it be wrong to say have an image in their head of a ingrained in their personalities (I that chivalry is dead, but man graciously helping a woman: know more than a few about whom also harmful. We don’t carrying a heavy object for her; you could say such qualities are need to do away with off ering his jacket during the cold; ‘lacking’). Neither does it mean that chivalry as a concept: or (heck) even holding a door open women have to rely on men to help we need to adapt or for her. them – we are perfectly capable reinterpret its meaning Historically, chivalry has been of sorting out our own problems, and ideology in a modern recognised as the combination thank you very much. And moreo- day context. is would of qualities expected of an ideal ver – if we wish for it to cohere with involve detaching it from our own set of moral values – it its sexist connotations, does not mean that chivalry has to while retaining the posi- be limited to men alone. Women too tive aspects. Ultimately are perfectly capable of displaying this could greatly deepen treat us with some consideration, or does not have to be defi ned by their own acts of ‘chivalry’, whether the value and dignity in inter- displays their aff ection (or generos- big statements or actions alone. this be paying for drinks or the bill personal relationships (romantic or ity) through some kind of meaning- It’s the thought behind the act that at a restaurant (we’re all students, otherwise). e words we need to ful act of selfl essness. A woman can counts, which is why small gestures we can’t expect to escape this), or focus on are ‘courtesy’ and ‘respect’. support egalitarian principles while of chivalrous behaviour can be just even just committing small acts of Feminism has made incredible still wanting to be treated with cour- as meaningful as larger, more obvi- kindness and thoughtfulness. progress in bringing us closer to a tesy and respect and appreciating ous ones. I’m not saying that men It goes without saying that times position where women and men are kind gestures in some form or an- should be permanently on standby have changed greatly since the recognised as equal, and accord- other. An act of chivalry is a perfect to do this. On the contrary, it is im- original ‘Age of Chivalry’ in early ingly, I believe that women should example of this and there is nothing portant to appreciate that chivalry medieval Europe, and the modern take pride in being independent. We more attractive to most people does not have to be limited to tradi- western world likes to think of itself should not rely on men to defi ne us than a true gentleman – to use the tional gender roles. No matter who as pushing towards a more gender- in our professional or personal lives. classic phrase. In the contemporary we are, we should not be compla- equal society. While it is hard to Correspondingly, this could remove world of booty calls and hook ups it cent and lower our standards when deny that there may still be some the pressure on men to feel that they is refreshing to meet someone who interacting with each other. Instead, way to go, we can at least respect the have to always perform chivalrous demonstrates chivalry even in their we should make the eff ort to display motivation of the Feminist move- acts for women – paying for dinner, smallest actions, maybe opening the sincere acts of genuine respect and ment and its achievements in bring- or asking the girl out. door for you or picking up a book kindness. ing us closer to a society free from We get it. But perhaps there are you may have dropped on the fl oor. ough the original image of gender discrimination, subliminal or also positive reasons to explain such Whilst some men may use their the ‘chivalrous knight’ is certainly otherwise. deeply ingrained social standards. physical strength to help others (it outdated, chivalry can now be Chivalry was originally born out Despite the advances in social doesn’t necessarily have to be just preserved in any act, big or small, of a patriarchal worldview in which equality between men and women, women), on contrasting occasions of courtesy, respect or generosity women were seen as helpless and we cannot ignore the appropri- they may prefer to display chivalry between men and women, equally. incompetent, in need of protection ate feeling of fl attery, or even plain in a more subtle, and even gentle, Chivalry is not dead, and I hope it No: Hebe Hamilton from their male counterparts. But happiness, when someone does manner. Chivalry in the 21st century will never die. 16 Friday 13th February 2015 Comment
Can the news ever be neutral?
ith the commercialisa- In my opinion, the answer to these failing to provide them with a “com- a journalist must be detached from tion of the internet and questions is a categorical, non- plete picture” is a violation of their the ‘truths’ that we, as humans, have Wthe introduction of new negotiable “no”. Subjectivity – while right to be informed human beings. come to accept as self-evident: ethi- methods of transmitting informa- perfectly appropriate for editorials, Consequently, every journalist bears cal values, systematised understand- tion, journalism has undergone opinion pieces, columns, and blog a strict moral responsibility to be im- ings of right and wrong, or more signifi cant changes in the past entries, and occasionally for analyses partial. Truly ethical and professional philosophical concepts like justice, decade. News agencies have moved and features, given that readers are journalism can never have an agenda. freedom, and equality. ese ‘truths’, into the hitherto-unfamiliar area of informed that the ideas represented e Reuters Handbook states though appearing in religious and broadcast journalism, broadcast- therein are not neutral – has no place that journalists must “never identify political discourse, are fundamentally Raisa Ostapenko ing corporations have embraced the in news reporting. with any side in an issue, a confl ict, secular and apolitical, and neutrality written word, mainstream media has News agencies are not political or a dispute”; the BBC’s Editorial should not come at their expense. For made use of ‘social media’, and the parties; news reporting is not market- Guidelines defi ne impartiality as the instance, the majority of humans are Subjectivity in news triple threat – the ability to operate ing. Our professional function is not act of giving “due weight to the many likely to agree that terrorism is im- on multiple platforms (online, radio, to sell a product, promote a position, and diverse areas of an argument.” moral, so when reporting on terror- reporting is a betrayal TV) simultaneously – has become a teach, preach, or be didactic. Our is can be achieved by being open- ism, it would be perfectly acceptable necessity for continued success and function is to be informative and minded and by representing a wide for a journalist to express disapproval of journalism’s audience retention. e internet has truthful. Our duty is to present untar- breadth of opinion in reporting. even when producing a balanced fundamental ethical also given everyone a voice: we have nished facts that allow people to form Impartiality can be compromised report. witnessed the rise of the recreational well-informed opinions. End-users, in many ways, even by using non-ob- Violating impartiality can also principles blogger communicating news to the on the other hand, should cultivate jective vocabulary. Any one journal- potentially compromise accuracy. public; the ordinary citizen promul- analytical minds and avoid turning to ist’s failure to be impartial, whether Journalists must never knowingly gating personal opinions on social mass media in search of conclusions by omitting a main strand of an mislead their audiences and must networking sites; the left or right- they should be making themselves. argument or by engaging in political make an eff ort to pursue the truth. leaning online ‘intellectual’ magazine. When making a conscious decision campaigns outside of working hours, You might be wondering how anyone In this time of change, it is of the to become a journalist, one should be can damage the reputation and legiti- can determine what the truth is. e utmost importance that professional prepared to leave personal convic- macy of an entire news corporation, beauty of ethical journalism is that journalists think critically before tions at the door and develop the agency or paper. ‘the truth’ (i.e. the well-balanced embracing new trends and abandon- ability to see events through a lens of Impartiality does not automati- picture refl ective of reality) often ap- ing traditions. e past year has seen neutrality, instead of being swayed cally mean that all perspectives must pears in the course of the investiga- countless heart-breaking develop- by background or personal experi- be covered in equal proportion. e tive process. ments rooted in ethnic, religious, and ence. Any alternative approach to BBC, for instance, encourages its Audiences count on us to do our political discords, from the shooting news reporting is a betrayal of the journalists to achieve ‘due weight’, jobs properly and to be transparent. down of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 fundamental, ethical principles of the which means that “minority views Real journalism off ers a solution over Ukraine to brutal and senseless profession: impartiality, fairness, and should not necessarily be given equal to the uncontrolled, informational beheadings by ISIS. e emotional potentially even accuracy. weight to the prevailing consensus.” chaos plaguing the internet. Our ac- signifi cance of these events begs the A journalist has the potential to Reuters takes a similar position, stat- curacy and analysis separate us from question of how journalists can man- infl uence millions of people. e ing: “the perpetrator of an atrocity or rumour-mongers and sensationalists. age to continue reporting objectively profession can easily be misused to the leader of a fringe political group Our objectivity separates us from and whether they even should. How manipulate unsuspecting audiences, arguably warrants less space than propagandists. far should we go in embracing new as evidenced by the information war the victims or mainstream political It is only if we maintain our ethical trends? Is it permissible for news in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine con- parties.” principles that journalism will remain reporters, in particular, to introduce fl ict. Nevertheless, imposing opinions Additionally, it is crucial to note a noble profession and a beacon of subjectivity into their activity? on others is a breach of free will and that impartiality does not mean that hope. Vulture CULTURE ■ FEATURES ■ FASHION ■ THEATRE ■ REVIEWS 18 Friday 13th February 2015 Vulture Culture A Brief History of
EDDIE REDMAYNE UNIVERSAL PICTURES
How could I not join the Eddie who is acutely colourblind. However, it wasn’t until 2012 Redmayne fan club in 2008, His sojourn in Cambridge that Redmayne truly became after hearing him thus de- was, however, perhaps most a household name. He took scribe kissing Scarlett Johans- memorable for his second year the role of Marius in the fi lm son in e Other Boleyn Girl, starring role as Viola in the adaptation of Les Misérables, “Together we had lips bigger Globe’s 2002 production of another Oscar high fl yer – than Christendom. We didn’t Twelfth Night. is perform- although, sadly no one could even need to stand in the ance attracted much attention, actually see his perform- same room.” Only the absence with Paul Taylor noting in his ance through all the tears. of Mick Jagger prevented a review for the Independent e acclaim heralded by Les pillow-lipped Tudor health that the cross-dressing Eddie Misérables helped him to land hazard – an image that has Redmayne would “bring out his lead role in e eory of kept me entertained for years. the bisexual in any man”. Everything, and with that, we are brought full circle back to Following Redmayne’s most Upon graduation, Redmayne Cambridge. recent role, which brought gave himself a year to see if he him back to Cambridge, as could make it as a professional Redmayne’s list of credits Stephen Hawking in the e actor. One of the fi rst roles he and awards (Golden Globe, eory of Everything, there took on post-University was BAFTA, Oscar?) impressive as has been widespread and as Billy Grey in the Almeida it is, may in the future be seen febrile speculation that he is production of e Goat, or as merely the opening act of a poised to receive the Oscar Who Is Sylvia? for which he major international career. for best actor, making him the was awarded: ‘Outstanding fi rst Cambrige alumnus to do Newcomer’ (Evening Standard Recently he beat Nicole Kid- so. Given this, it seems only eatre Awards) and ‘Best man and Marion Cotillard to right that we should fi nd out a Newcomer’ (Critics’ Circle the part of the transgender little more about this dreamy eatre Awards). painter Einar Wegener in Tom Cantab and (forgive me), com- Hooper’s new fi lm, e Dan- mence a Brief History of Eddie Needless to say, at the end of ish Girl, which begins fi liming Redmayne. the year he did not need to this year. He is also currently hotfoot it back to Cambridge starring in the Wachowski’s During his time as a His- to seek the sage advice of the Jupiter Ascending (so type- tory of Art undergraduate Careers Service. casting does not appear to be at Trinity College he led, by a problem at this time). all accounts, an ‘active’ life Redmayne went on to add (in evidence of which I refer an Olivier and a Tony to And Eddie, if you’re reading you to his photograph on the his awards cabinet for his this, you are welcome to sleep wall of the Pitt Club). ose portrayal of Rothko’s assist- on my fl oor should you fi nd of you currently in the midst ant in the 2010 production yourself back in Cambridge of writing dissertations may of Red. e following year he fi lming e eory of Every- also be interested to know turned back to the camera thing 2 anytime soon – we all that he wrote his on Yves and starred in My Week with know how hard life is as an Klein Blue; which was either Marilyn, a fi lm about an aspir- emerging actor. heroically ambitious or monu- ing fi lmmaker’s brief roll in mentally foolish for a man the hay with Marilyn Monroe. Nancy Hine
Exhibitions Film Theatre Music
The biggest release this week, but For Funk, Soul, Disco, and classic almost certainly not the best, is the This week sees the opening of MOON- Hip Hop try the very tiring-sound- long-awaited Fifty Shades of Grey ADC main show ’Tis Pity She’s a STRIPS: Eduardo Paolozzi and the ing Mr Margaret Scratcher’s (released Saturday 14th Feb). You Whore (Tues 17th-Sat 21st Feb, printed collage 1965-72 (From Tues Funk Workout (Fri, 13th Feb, surely already know what it’s about 7.45pm, ADC). Following singer 17th Feb to Sun 7th June, Fitzwilliam 10pm-3am, The Fountain Inn). For so we’ll leave it at that. For a less Annabella through the glamorous Museum). As the name suggests the House, Electro, Garage, and Bass S&M-y Valentines day trip to the but seedy world of a 1928 Florida exhibition focuses on Paolozzi’s art us- then take your date to The Move- cinema, take advantage of a one-off Speakeasy, this show promises ing words cut from popular magazines ment (Sat, 14th Feb, 10pm-3am, screening of Casablanca (14th Feb, both an enjoyable romp and some and scientific journals, which played The Fountain Inn). 3.45pm, Cambridge Arts Picture- a formative role in the development of broken taboos. house), a fantastic opportunity to British art in the 1950s and 60s. Expect see a classic on the big screen. originality and bright colours. What’s On: Week 5 What’s On: Week Culture Vulture Friday 13th February 2015 19 PRAVDAVERITA
Misplaced Nostalgia: Belle and Sebastian
Shayane Lacey on why all children, and bands, grow up
Last month, the Scottish indie-pop an artifi cial nostalgia for a 1990s fi nd it on collections of‘Top Albums new being just a little bit scary. Want to Dance isn’t like their fi rst two band Belle and Sebastian released Scotland that I didn’t actually ever of the 90s’. is album eff ortlessly albums and nor should it to be. is their ninth album, Girls in Peacetime experience? Did I just relish being a follows the story of all sorts of people: Yes, the time that I got into them album sees them fully experimenting Want to Dance. I have a poster of part of a group of moody teens that from track stars (‘ e Stars of Track was around the time that I started with the electronic disco vibe only Tigermilk, their very fi rst album on liked wearing cardigans? and Field’), an army major (‘Me and my typically teenage period of self- hinted at in their older work, but the my wall, and one of Gold Help e the Major’), to a teenage rebel (‘Judy discovery, and I’ve come to realise core of what drew me to them is still Girl, the musical fi lm project that lead Perhaps it was their charming origin and the Dream of Horses’), and a lost that it’s unlikely to be nostalgia for a there: their storytelling, their honesty, singer Stuart Murdoch released last story; among indie-pop bands, Belle Catholic (‘If You’re Feeling Sinister’). musical era that gives their early work their dark humour all wrapped in summer. In short, they’re one of my and Sebastian’s formation seems a special place inside my heart. Aside playful tunes. Nobody’s Empire, their favourite bands. almost mythical, which is probably In their early days, the band shielded from the obvious talent on display in latest single and the opening track to why Pitchfork made a documentary their personalities and adopted an idi- their early work, the age that I was the album, is the most “traditional” However, I found myself having a about the band’s early days. e story osyncratic approach to the music in- exposed to them, my personal era, sounding Belle and Sebastian track, (very twee) crisis with the release of begins in 1996 when Stuart Murdoch dustry: they released no singles from probably played a role as well. eir but it sees Murdoch discussing his their latest album. I put off listen- emerged from years of isolation and albums, did no promotion, no press, songs speak about loneliness, but chronic fatigue in the most explicit, ing to the entire thing, because I was solitude due to chronic fatigue, and and didn’t even appear in their own a lot of them are also strangely life personal way so far. struck with the fear that (a) it would created a band with people that he press photos for years. Obviously, affi rming. It was only after some soul- be awful and (b) it would entirely met in a music workshop for the this just isn’t something you could searching that I realised the extent to ey’re playing at the Corn Exchange taint the rest of their work for me. unemployed. I always felt there was do in 2015 and the band have moved which I associate them with certain on May 7th and I fully expect to see is then prompted even more soul- some manifestation of these origins on from their reclusive nature – they places and certain people. a mix of people who fi rst discovered searching, and I realised that (c) I was in their lyrics, but couldn’t articulate even have a Twitter account. It’s fair them on a mixtape in the 1990s and exactly a year old when they released just what in a satisfying way until I to say that things have changed from Murdoch describes it best when he of young students who listened to their early work, so do I have the re-watched the documentary. the enigmatic style of their 90s ‘glory says that ‘If You’re Feeling Sinister’ is songs like ‘Get Me Away From Here’ right to be nostalgic about them as a days’. the record of the band in 1996. For and ‘I’m Dying’ on repeat during their band? and (d) perhaps it’s ridiculous He explains, “I wanted to write about me, I guess the album will always be a secondary school days. And I will be to expect bands to evoke the same normal people doing normal things, Even Stuart Murdoch is no longer the record of the trials and tribulations of dancing along to their songs, old and powerful emotions that the music because I wasn’t normal”. For instance, same person he was in 1996, when he being a fourteen-year-old girl in 2009. new, with the same questionable style they created 20 years ago did. Also: (e) ‘Expectations’, one of the fi rst songs wrote those troubled but sweet and Human beings are not static – we are I had aged fourteen. Wise as always, oh my God, I probably have an essay I ever heard from them, is about clever songs, living in a church hall always growing, shifting, moving on. Murdoch himself said of their new to write, I must stop dwelling on this. a brutally mediocre experience of and wearing corduroy. So I suppose Belle and Sebastian have been getting trajectory, “A little bit older, but no secondary school. e band modestly that it’s not really a surprise that their older, and I’m not wistfully longing for wiser, maturing like a fi ne wine ought What is it about the early Belle and describes their following album, If fi rst two albums evoke such a strong, a revival of their past. to, our love for music, and the chance Sebastian albums that make me feel You’re Feeling Sinister, as a “strong personal connection to such heartfelt to lay it on your tender ear, is not so connected to the group? Is it just set” of songs, but you’ll frequently and therapeutic songs, with anything eir new album, Girls in Peacetime diminished. We will pop you.”
Eddie Redmayne and Benedict Cumberbatch more of Hawking’s physical decline. are both fi ghting to win their fi rst Best Actor Oscar, and it is Redmayne’s multiple Moreover, although Hawking does depict some award-winning performance in e eory of Hawking’s quiet grief when hearing of his of Everything as Stephen Hawking that is SAM, HOT GOSSIP ITALIA diagnosis, Redmayne’s angrier, more angst- tipped to have the edge over Cumberbatch’s ridden response is far more believable, given Alan Turing. Although the subjects of each the graveness of being told he had two years to biopic might seem similar – both are scientifi c live. As Hawking is a TV rather than big-screen geniuses from Cambridge struggling through fi lm, it is unsurprising that the cinematography personal turmoil – the depictions are distinctly Eddie Redmayne might have the BAFTA, but who really has the theory of everything when it comes and music of e eory of Everything, with its diff erent to the attentive viewer. to playing Steven Hawking? Fiona Lin fi nds out. multi-million pound budget, are far superior. Although the soundtrack sounds rather boring It becomes harder to distinguish Redmayne his progressing disability both causing and chance to deliver an astonishingly visceral per- on its own, its emotional riff s and swells further and Cumberbatch when considering the 2004 paralleling her metamorphosis from seemingly formance, believably showing the progression dramatise the most dramatic moments of the BBC TV fi lm Hawking, which, like e eory naïve to resilient. Contrastingly, the dramatic of his disease. From his initial pen fumbling, to fi lm. James Marsh’s directorial style is evocative of Everything, features a stunning portrayal focus of 2004’s Hawking is the progress of his the slight shifts in the crinkles of his eyes, each of Tom Hooper’s in e King’s Speech, with (by Cumberbatch) of Hawking learning of and PhD, the climax being his epiphany about the of Redmayne’s gestures conveys so much about its uncomfortably close-up shots and faded surviving his motor neurone disease diag- ‘bang’ (a.k.a. singularity) at the beginning of the both Hawking’s physical and mental state. colour palettes accentuating an atmosphere of nosis whilst writing his PhD. Both fi lms are universe. Even when nearly completely immobilised, confi nement. Despite the faintly oppressive at- overtly emotional, focussing on the relation- Redmayne is able to convey Hawking’s lively mosphere of much of the fi lm, Marsh has made ship between Hawking and his fi rst wife Jane e biggest divergence, however, is the period sense of humour – such as when he pretends it remarkably beautiful, with carefully com- in conjunction to (and perhaps more than) his of time covered in each fi lm. Largely a function to be a Dalek, racing around on his electric posed shots of all the locations – Cambridge in work in cosmology. of its longer run time, e eory of Everything wheelchair, and his distinctive synthesised particular looks like a picturesque tourist ad. covers far more of Hawking’s life than Hawking voice shouting ‘exterminate’. However, despite similarities in subject matter, – over two decades, compared to three years. Hawking, featuring one of Cumberbatch’s each fi lm feels remarkably diff erent. Whilst So, though we start off at the same point in Hawking, whilst featuring no less a remarkable earliest notable performances and a non-pat- both succeed in creating a crowd-pleasing bal- Hawking’s life – when he is embarking upon portrayal of the physicist’s intellect, does not al- ronising insight into Hawking’s early scientifi c ance between the romantic and scientifi c, e his PhD and has just received his diagnosis low Cumberbatch the same scope to eff ect a re- work, makes it still a fi lm well worth watching. eory of Everything has chosen to foreground – they end at diff erent times, with Benedict markable physical transformation. e already- However, e eory of Everything seems to love and religion, exploring the various interac- Cumberbatch’s Hawking still just able to speak. ravaging eff ects of the initial stages of disease outdo it, with its superior production values tions and entanglements of the Hawking family. are portrayed as convincingly as in e eory and longer timeframe allowing Redmayne to e psychological transformation of Felicity By showing more of Hawking’s life in e of Everything, but because of the script’s con- deliver a phenomenal performance of one of Jones’ Jane rivals Stephen’s physical one, with eory of Everything, Redmayne is given the straints, Cumberbatch has no chance to depict the country’s greatest icons. 20 Friday 13th February 2015 Vulture Culture
1. The Night Circus, by Erin 3. Like Water for Chocolate, by 5. Daisy Fay and the Miracle 7. The Blue Sword (from 9. All my Friends are Superhe- Morgenstern Laura Esquivel Man, by Fannie Flagg the Damar series), by Robin roes, by Andrew Kaufman McKinley Read this with your signifi cant other. Read this if you are suffering the pangs Read this if you are searching for an Read this if you’re experiencing the of unrequited love. everyday love story. Read this if you are searching for dan- pangs of uncertainty in your relation- When I fi rst read The Night Circus, I gerous and adventurous love. ships. thought it must be the greatest book If this book were a food, it would be Set in the American South of the that had ever been written. It prob- molasses: thick, syrupy, dark, and, 1950s, this story, like many, recounts One of my favourite specimens of 80s A wonderful and neglected novella, ably isn’t, but it may well be the most to be sure, not to everyone’s taste. the life and loves of a young girl. The fantasy fi ction, this book has unfairly this book is perfect for any literary tastefully crafted love story there is A wonderful alternative to Gabriel reader follows her as she is gradually lost its following over the years. If you lovers out there. Short and sweet, it is in today’s fantasy genre. Apart from García Márquez’s Love in the Time of stripped of her romantic illusions in a are a fan of fantasy, this may be your a playful depiction of true, everlasting a delicately erotic scene towards the Cholera, this Mexican novel is all about world of ‘ordinary hardship’. Similar Valentine. Set in a world reminiscent of love. The writing is structured around end of the novel, the book’s magic is seduction.Which is more seductive, in feel to Kathryn Stockett’s The Help, the Arabian Nights, the love story that a series of metaphors, turning itself balanced on its use of anticipation: the Esquivel’s descriptions of desire, or of Flagg uses a combination of humour unfolds is an extremely enticing one. into a variation on the style of magical ‘butterfl y’ feeling that comes with fi rst food? I suppose I don’t have to decide and sorrow to grant us insight into As a female reader, I couldn’t but imag- realism. Easily read in a single sitting: love. The book’s darker undercurrents as the two are sensually intertwined in troubles of poverty and illiteracy, fears ine myself in the place of the heroine. an espresso shot of optimism, cheer and provide it with an element of the risqué this text; cocoa feels lustful, chorizo of pregnancy out of wedlock, and the Sword-fi ghting and restrained romance appreciation for the well-written word. and dangerous, and the illicit tension seems passionate. For anyone that has universal issues of heartbreak and disil- bubble into a tense, perilous and allur- Although the love story at the core of between Celia and Marco takes on an experienced the turmoil of unrequited lusionment suffered by the young and ing game of passion. There is also the the book makes for a nice centrepiece, increasingly dark and disturbing hue as love, this love story will provide both innocent. The book will remind you of occasional veiled political reference, this is a text you can appreciate simply the narative progresses. It is also very a graphic reminder, and an irresistible the need to open yourself up to love. for those that like some extra intrigue for Kaufman’s powerful storytelling. well written: you’ll fall in love with feeling of catharsis. alongside their romance. Morgenstern’s style as easily as with her protagonists. 10 Overlooked Love Stories to Read this Valentine’s Day Y’ C H, R J, B E, ’ … Valentine’s Day does not need to be a cliché of romance. Whether you disapprove of candied hearts or are simply feeling in need of some romantic cheer, Sophia Gatzionis will certainly have a book for you.
2. Crocodile on the Sandbank 4. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter 6. The Thread, by Victoria 8. Anne of the Island, (Anne of 10. House of Flowers (short (from the Amelia Peabody se- and Sweet, by Jamie Ford Hislop Green Gables Series) by L.M. story), by Truman Capote ries), by Elizabeth Peters Montgomery Read this book if you want to cry. Read this if you want to be inspired by Read this if you are opposed to the Read this to spice up your love life. the powers of love. Read this if you’re feeling blue. idea of Valentine’s Day. As suggested by its title, this book is Expect to be thrown in the exotic, faint- the paragon of ambivalent love stories. I fell in love with this book because of Although the fi rst book in this series is Although not in the strictest sense a ly spicy atmosphere of late 19th century Set during World War II, it explores its unique atmosphere. The character very widely read, the third sequel is far book, I could not leave this short story Egypt. Luxury and deprivation, enmity the potential of young love within of Greece shines through, beautiful and from well-known. It is a heartwarming, off my list. It is infused with his char- and desire fuse together, turning this in- the constraints of a harsh historical resilient. It is comparable, even supe- wholesome story of old-fashioned ro- acteristic magical touch. The writing telligent historical novel into an excel- reality through the story of Henry Lee, rior, to Nicholas Spark’s work in terms mance, abounding in suitors, beaus, let- is exquisite, each sentence perfectly lent delineation of the unconventional a Chinese American boy, and Keiko of plot, setting, and writing style, and ters, fl owers, courting, dances and un- constructed and polished: a brilliant- romance between two unconventional Okabe, a Japanese American girl. A yet is a purer love story: less sentimen- requited, but ultimately satisfi ed love. cut diamond, ringing like glass and people. This book carefully intertwines realistic and touching example of ro- tal, more matter-of-fact. This is an ode Anne tasting of marigolds. Glittering with the thrill of archaeological discovery, mantic historical fi ction, this is a story to the ability of strong, determined love and the seduction of the Caribbean, the detective mystery and a forcefully bud- of awakening and of the melancholy of to endure through all sorts of diffi cul- Gil- story is fanciful and pretty, ding romance. It is entertaining, witty, loss. It’s sure to bring a tear to your eye ties and disasters, as much as it is an bert but unfl inchingly concerned and an unusual but exquisite choice for as you recall your fi rst ode to the strength and determination are a with the idea of sacrifi cing a love story. It is also the best of the loves this Valentine’s of the Greek people. couple for love. The book is most Amelia Peabody series, and can be read Day. that with- deeply touching at entirely on its own. stand the passage of its resolution, time, and forever where the exist as one of the reader’s initial most beautiful enchantment is examples of love tested and the story surviving and questions the terms conquering all. of loving and being This is a book loved (and remember to read when that this story often you need to comes coupled with Ca- renew your en- pote’s seminal Breakfast chantment with at Tiffany’s!) A light but the world. lasting read. Features Vulture Friday 13th February 2015 21 Crêpes de Cambridge As Pancake Day crêpes up on us, Phoebe Stone sets out to discover where Cantabrigians should go to celebrate Benet’s Café, 21 King’s Parade First Class PHOEBE STONE enet’s Café sits proudly opposite King’s, its sister café on St. Benet’s Street having closed only a few months ago. I’ve read some reviews. It’s close enough to my department. I’m not expecting much. I’m wrong. B ere is snow outside and the café is cosy yet airy, and not too full. e staff are relaxed and friendly. ey off er a wide range of crêpe fi llings, savoury and sweet, as well as American-style fl uff y pancakes and gluten free options, so there’s a wide selection to choose from. A lifelong lemon and sugar fan – the vanilla of the pancake world – I opt for an apple and cin- namon crêpe with caramel syrup. It arrives looking splendid, dusted with icing sugar and drizzled with dark, rich caramel. e crêpe is thin but still soft. e diced apple, suitably tart, plays off the sweet caramel fantastically. It’s not at all sickly, just truly satisfying. Another customer walks past me as I focus on the food with my camera. “Instagram?” he laughs. “Something like that,” I reply. While a little steep at £6.75, Benet’s has something of a restorative atmosphere, on the day I visit at least. I sit at the window. ere are magazines and a potted plant. ere is table service. I feel like a goddamn princess. By the time I’ve demolished the crêpe, I realise that I actually did forget to take a photograph for my Instagram. High praise indeed. Cambridge Crêpes, Crêpe A aire, 66 Bridge Street PHOEBE STONE Sidney Street Solid 2:1 airly new on the Cambridge scene is Crêpe Aff aire, a company established in 2004, growing rap- idly, and with an already solid clientele. e café is heaving as I slip through the door on a freezing First Class cold evening, glasses steaming up. Again, this crêperie off ers a decent selection of savoury and sweet fi llings, and the pesto, mushroom and cheese combo persuades my otherwise convention- student and tourist favourite already (with Fally sweet tooth. a review page on their website so glow- e décor is simple with sunny touches – sunfl owers adorn a back wall – and after grabbing some cut- ing it could blind you), Cambridge Crêpes lery, I huddle in a small booth. After a small wait, I collect my pancake, a solid-looking brown triangular are doing something right. Or make that parcel stuff ed with fi lling. It’s big, it’s ugly and it’s really fl avoursome. e mushrooms are succulent and everything.A Despite the bright and breezy weather, the cheese seems good quality. When I locate a scrap of pancake not smothered in gooey goodness, it’s dissertation work is taking its toll, not to mention a a little hard, but it barely seems to matter – this is a real meal, and for little more than dinner in college vague feeling of pancake fatigue. I opt for Nutella – at £4.40, not bad value, either. And with the promise of decent coff ee, free Wi-Fi and freshly squeezed because Nutella – with some banana thrown in for orange juice from a charming bright orange machine, Crêpe Aff aire might be worthy of a second trip. good measure at £3.30, and am told this has been an unusually popular choice this morning. I note my newly discovered career option of pancake trend prediction; although I would probably have had to apply for an internship by now. e two owners are Do it yourself : wonderfully friendly, and several regulars turn up for a chat. Operating from a van, Cambridge Crêpes had American-style Pancakes the best café atmosphere I’d encountered so far, and it wasn’t even a café. I begin to feel like an extra in a 1. Melt the butter, then leave to cool slightly Ingredients sitcom, desperate to become a recurring character. It 2. Sift all the dry ingredients (fl our, sugar, salt, 135g plain fl our all depends on the pancake. Watching it being made baking powder) together into a large bowl, 3 tablespoons caster is a thrill and a torture. I’ve forgotten about pancake before creating a well in the centre. sugar fatigue. I’m salivating. I’m handed a hot parcel of fi rm 3. Beat the egg in a separate bowl, before add- ½ teaspoon salt pancake enclosing gooey Nutella and perfectly ripe ing the milk and mixing well. Add the butter 1 teaspoon banana. e van, embellished with the numerous fi ll- and whisk with a fork to combine ings available for your delectation, promises “a classy baking powder pancake”. While I looked far from classy traipsing 4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry, and 1 egg round Market Square with Nutella all over my face whisk again until all ingredients are incorpo- 130ml milk – as anyone unabashedly enjoying a treat on the go rated and lumps removed 2 tablespoons butter should – from the service to the taste, Cambridge 5. Add a generous handful of raspberries to Vegetable oil or butter for greasing the frying pan Crêpes is a class act. the mixture, gently crushing them with your Big handful raspberries (plus extra for serving) fi ngers as you go. Fold them into the mixture Maple syrup until evenly distributed. Leave to stand for a
PHOEBE STONE few minutes 6. Heat a frying pan over a medium heat – don’t be tempted to turn the heat up any PHOEBE STONE higher – and add a knob of butter or oil 7. Place a generous spoonful of mixture into the pan, using the back of the spoon to spread the mixture into a small circle 8. Wait until the pancake begins to blister and bubble before gently fl ipping it to allow the other side to cook – this should take a further minute or so 9. Repeat, stacking the cooked pancakes on a cool plate away from the frying pan and heat. Add a handful of the left over raspberries, a drizzle of maple syrup, and tuck in! 22 Friday 13th February 2015 Vulture Features e Varsity Valentine’s Com
Noa Lessof-Gendler
t’s a feat almost as legendary as joining the mile high club. You think about it when you roll out of some- I one else’s bed, fi shing for socks inside jeans and turn- ing your t-shirt the right way out, pondering the possi- bilities of their joining you for a morning in the library. You think about it when you’re at your laptop, peering through the stacks at that glorious mop of hair. You think about it when you lean back in your chair, bored, sex on the brain as usual, imagining being pushed into that corner over there, rough teeth tugging on your bot- tom lip, fi ngers fumbling with your belt buckle, clutch- ing Dorothy Whitelock’s English Historical Documents: Vol. I as your knees tremble with passion…
Students (and possibly fellows) of Cambridge, it can be done. At the risk of security measures in the UL being increased to the point where they check pockets for con- doms, here’s a comprehensive guide. We’ll start with the practicalities, and then we’ll move onto aesthetics. Read this fi rst. Don’t mess it up. It’s not going to be easy, and yes, you probably will have a panic attack and change your mind four or fi ve times while cycling over to do the deed. Wigging out is natural. Pulling out – no pun intended – is for the weak. See it through and you’ll be a legend. And one more thing: the aim is to not get caught. I cannot stress this enough. Librarians are grumpy at the best of times and, while those in the UL are actually pretty lovely, I don’t think they’d take too kindly to your fl uids on their tomes. You might get sent down.
1. Pick your partner. For some of you, this will be the easiest part. For the rest of you lonely sods, this bit is crucial. Aside from the obvious (consent- ing and of age, functioning genitals etc.), you need to make sure this person isn’t going to freak out as soon as you’ve passed through the revolving door. UL wank doesn’t sound like nearly as much fun.
2. Calm your nerves. I don’t mean get high on Xanax, but it’s a good idea to get a full eight hours of sleep the night before and have a healthy breakfast because we don’t want you passing out as though you’re going for a blood test (also there are a lot of stairs in there, so fi ll your- self with energy). Maybe also a good idea to limit the caff eine – one cup of coff ee is fi ne, but you don’t want to get the jitters. Or the shits.
3. Psych yourself up. Remind yourself that you’re a pro. Or that everyone starts some- where. Make a deal with yourself that you’re going to see it through. Maybe promise yourself a reward, like lunch at Bill’s or something. Whatever tickles your, um, fancy.
4. Look the part. 6. Timing is key. 7. So is location. 8. Choose your Obviously you’ll be looking sexy because you just are, but at- As with most sexual acts – and South Front is a good one – always pleasure. tire is key. I strongly recommend those with a vagina to wear most library-related acts – timing is fairly empty. For a combination of penis and va- a skirt or dress, and those with a penis to wear trousers with a crucial. Just like writing essays the gina, the ol’ perch on a shelf move is fl y. Easy access. If you object to this suggestion, please consider morning after Cindies, going for a Consider the History of Art section. probably sensible. Two vaginas may leggings/trackies/anything else easy to whip off and back on at a shag in the UL at one in the after- ey never go to the library except prove trickier as kneeling or lying moment’s notice. It could mean the diff erence between getting noon is basically impossible. I sug- to shag, anyway. down for oral is going to make scram- your 2:1 and not getting a degree at all. gest the morning when people are ming that little bit harder if you get likely to be in lectures (FYI, the UL But there is no real hidden corner caught. Also the carpet is scratchy opens at nine). e next best time is of the UL: any corridor that you on the knees. If one of you can do a four, when those who’ve been slav- pick could contain the volume that handstand, then great. It’s the same ing away since lunch fi nally give up. some unwary soul is hunting for issue with two penises – you may 5. Come prepared. Never just before it closes – people whilst you’ve got your pants around fi nd taking turns just works best, or As it were. If either of you have a penis, bring condoms. I’m not grab last minute books, and there your ankles. you may decide to throw caution to saying this to remind you about sexual health, because you’re not are always a few stragglers mill- the winds and go for a sixty-nine. I an idiot. I’m saying it because semen can be messy, and honestly, ing among the stacks. Exam term To keep risk at a minimum, pick a strongly advise against anal for any you don’t want milky drips running off Visions of Empire. Al- is also a no go: that place is jam- distant end of an upstairs corridor. combination of genitals. You just though if you’d enjoy the power trip, go for it. packed from dawn until dusk. don’t want to risk the mess. Features Vulture Friday 13th February 2015 23 s Companion to Sex in the UL JESS FRANKLIN
For when love is in the air...
To spice things up, follow these bonus tips to add that extra bit of romance to your Valentine’s excursion. No candles goes without saying – we’ve already lost one great library on this side of the Na- tivity, and we don’t need to repeat the experience. 1. Toys etc. 2. Books. If you’re into kinky extra stuf, no need to Forget porn – the UL is full of super-hot erotic literature and, as an English At3. the Fun risk of locations.exposing myself as a complete and utter heathen – it stop here. student, I invite you to indulge. And we’re not talking about Fifty Shades, could be fun to do it in the heology section. If either you or your part- here. For your delectation and delight I’ve compiled a brief list of infamous ner are displaying symptoms in that region, go to the medicine sec- he no bags rule will mean that you’ll need ‘cliterature’ tomes, complete with their classmarks: tion and diagnose each other. For a real winner, sneak into the Munby a coat with big pockets, but after that, Ann • Lady Chatterley’s Lover, by D.H. Lawrence, 1928 Original edition: Or- Room and shag on top of something 600 years old. It would be impres- Summers is your oyster. der in Rare Books Room (Not Borrowable) Syn.7.93.34 sive, but probably not that sensible. • Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, (aka Fanny Hill), by John Cleland, Just try not to leave puddles of lube. 1748 Order in West Room (Not Borrowable) (place a stack request) I hope this inspires a generation of revelry and fun in the UL; go and • Tropic of Cancer, by Henry Miller, 1934 Order in West Room (place a make some good memories in there. Undergraduates down the line Also, I don’t think that handcufs are a par- stack request) 1998.8.9115 1985.8.3682 will be inding your used condoms lying around as they research the ticularly good idea as they could obstruct a • Delta of Venus, by Anaïs Nin, 1940s, published 1977 Order in West Sonderbund War of 1847. And I’m not going to reveal if I have or potentially crucial getaway. Room (place a stack request) 1996.7.1418 haven’t. Find me in the smoking area at Life and ask. 24 Friday 13th February 2015 Vulture Fashion
Mystic Magnetism Fashion Vulture Friday 13th February 2015 25
Photography | Barney Couch ; Models | Dan Schofield & Maddie Leadon ; Direction, Styling, Setting,| Livs Galvin & Gayathiri Kamalakanthan Clothes | Chic by Choice: http://chic-by-choice.com, +44 20 3095 7117, 26 Friday 13th February 2015 Vulture eatre Lost in Translation Gabriella Jeakins talks translated puns and absurd dark humour with the team behind Santa is a Scumbag
It’s often pretty diffi cult to pin down what makes Aurélien also draws attention to the fact that level of absurd humour is Almost every aspect of the play has been something funny. Certain situations seem to bal- French theatre has generally been popular common between French Anglicised. Now set in London, it is somewhat ance just the right amount of wit or absurdity or amongst Cambridge students. is is and British comedy.” diffi cult to believe these characters were once downright silliness to get a laugh, but can easily certainly true; Moliere’s Tartuff e was French. go wrong without the right phrasing or timing. performed at Emmanuel College Aurélien has also noticed is is what makes translating humour very last year, e Bald Soprano was a series of diff erences, Of course, no matter how similar the sense diffi cult. A translated punchline can be ruined put on in French (with surtitles) however. He tells us that of humour between two cultures, sometimes by something as simple as the fact that one lan- last term and Les Justes is on “French humour is quite jokes just don’t translate. Aurélien has found guage uses more words to convey the punchline at the Corpus Playroom this mean… which British that there are plenty of moments in the play than the other. week. Dark comedy also tends to humour has less of”. is that can’t be rendered into English; “ e French appeal to Cambridge students, with is something Rhiannon really love their puns and wordplay and some ere are also cultural diff erences, of course, last year’s Harry Porter prize winner says has been an issue of the puns were very diffi cult to translate. I’ve which means certain humorous situations in STIFF!, a comedy set in a graveyard, while directing the show; come up with some of my own puns which work some cultures have no obvious equivalent in as a notable example. “it proves a challenge in the context… I hope!” another, and diff erent cultures are more recep- because obviously tive to diff erent senses of humour. Because it Director Rhiannon Shaw you don’t want is is likely to be a show few Cambridge stu- is so diffi cult to simply dub or subtitle foreign thinks French farces map to seem to be dents are familiar with, so I ask Rhiannon what comedies, we can miss out on some fantastically particularly well onto poking fun we can expect. She tells me it’s a show fi lled with funny foreign writing. British humour. “I at any of bold, exaggerated and not particularly likeable think there the char- characters; “I think what you have to bear in One Cambridge student however, has bat- is very acter traits mind about the characters is that none of them tled this to produce his own translation of the much an these are supposed to be relatable. You’re not sup- popular French comedy play, and later fi lm, Le overlap characters posed to feel a particular amount of sympathy Père Noël est une ordure. e show has never in the might for them. You’re supposed to have a distance been performed in English before and medical absurd- have.” e between you and them.” student Aurélien Guéroult hopes that he can ity,” she show is make this classic comedy appeal to a new audi- says. “As very dark e cast certainly seem to be enjoying tack- ence. e result of his eff orts is this term’s Week was pointed – it is set ling such characters, though. As I watch them 5 ADC Lateshow, Santa is a Scumbag. out they’re in the call rehearse they really get into the roles and many very similar room of little quirks really bring these hilarious person- e show was originally written and per- to Monty a sui- alities to life. formed in 1979 by the French comedy troupe Python cide Le Splendid, which Aurélien describes as “the and hot- Overall, this show seems like both an interesting equivalent of Monty Python in France”. is this line attempt to bring foreign comedy to an English group of writers and actors won countless César – and audience and downright good fun. It’s certainly Awards and have each had a successful individu- it can something I’m looking forward to seeing! al career, yet remain relatively unknown outside prove tricky to get of France. He tells me that he really loves this the balance just Santa is a Scumbag takes to the stage on the particular play and that he thinks its style of right between the 18th February, hoping that this French cult clas- dark, yet absurd and farcical humour will humour and such sic will endear itself to a Cambridge audience really appeal to a Cambridge audience. HANNAH TAYLOR serious and often and that its farcical humour will no longer be sensitive themes. lost in translation. HAO FENG HAO FENG heatre Vulture Friday 13th February 2015 27 Nepotism: The theatrical elephant in the room? Kimberley Richards talks us through the issues of perceived nepotism in the Cambridge theatre scene
Depending on who you talk to, there are those here appears, as with many things in third year, despite singing lessons and regular with the panel [and that] hasn’t meant I’ve who believe that nepotism is alive and well be- Cambridge, to be a two-tier approach towards singing with a choir, which means she “feels as got the roles”. hese are awarded – in Zarah’s* hind the scenes of Cambridge’s student theatre. the performing arts. he gap between the ca- though it’s a case of [her] not being visible on opinion – on talent alone. Yet surely such a jaded and clichéd phrase as maraderie felt in some societies such as Gilbert the circuit” – she even cites frequently receiv- ‘it’s not what you know, but who’ has no place & Sullivan and the professionalism of the top ing positive feedback after auditions. It is far from the case that all those successful whatsoever in the vibrant student-led and egal- billing ADC shows can be very stark. here is on the Cambridge stage are students of a par- itarian atmosphere that surrounds the theatre little doubt that you see the same faces appear Clearly Melissa and Ellie do not perceive ticular subject, even if certain subject groups and performing arts in Cambridge. A world in a G&S production time after time, despite nepotism as limited purely to the intercon- seem over-represented. here are countless where the next Fry and Laurie, or Mitchell and their tradition of holding open ‘sing-throughs’ nectedness of the ADC and Corpus Playroom, examples of non-English or Music students Webb may spring forth at any moment. before each show is opened to audition. but a phenomenon that extends throughout who regularly feature in ADC productions and the Cambridge musical scene. As for CUOS, it musical societies, established through their In Stephen Fry’s autobiography he mentions he diference, of course, is in the title. he is true that here there is a clearer link between determination and talent. Santa is a Scumbag the 1980 Footlights Pantomime, he Snow ADC is a theatre, G&S a society. Within that the choral scholars and chapel choirs, but this was translated by a medic. Queen, in which he, Hugh Laurie and Emma template it stands to reason that the competi- also does not guarantee success. he CUOS hompson all starred. here are two ways this tiveness of the ADC is a far fairer representa- website itself says that “It is the hard work of In a highly pressured term, with few hours free could be taken. One is linked to this idea of tion of what the professional circuit is like, determined students that enable CUOS to in a week to commit to rehearsing, producing nepotism, as it was clear that they were a group whereas G&S is a more holistic and ultimately thrive”, an ethos surely contradictory to the ac- and staging a show, the success or failure ulti- of chums doing what they loved, perhaps even ‘done-for-fun’ kind of enterprise. Simply put, cusation of nepotism. mately rests with the production team. With a clique. not everyone will make the grade for an ADC the ADC’s ticket price rise this pressure is even show, but does that equate to nepotism if the he impression that this is a close-knit group more intense. Shows need to be worth every Or perhaps their friendship was a by-product pool of talent is actually rather small in any of people does linger, however, and this is one penny students spend on them, and we expect of putting on a show together, and their place given year? that, according to Zarah*, isn’t entirely incor- quality from the plays and operas on ofer. in that show down simply to the talent with rect. A choral scholar and regular performer which the three found their later fame – al- he accusation is not limited merely to the with CUOS, among others, she is well placed to Directors and producers can hardly be lam- ready present, even in embryonic form, during theatrical side of the Cambridge arts scene. In ofer a more immediate viewpoint. basted for ensuring that these demands are their time in Cambridge. the case of groups such as the Opera Society satisied in the cast they choose. Perhaps it is (CUOS), the Pops Orchestra (CUPO) and the I ask her if it isn’t as much ‘who you know’, more accurate to say it is the difering levels of Does a nepotistic ethos exist in Cambridge, or Show Choir, there is a range of personal experi- but perhaps ‘what circle you belong to’? he professionalism between the diferent societies, doesn’t it? 34 years separate Fry’s 1980 panto- ence that attests to both sides of the debate. Music and English courses at Cambridge allow and the ADC, that allows accusations of nepo- mime from 2014’s ofering, and yet it wappears a natural low of people between them and the tism to be fostered. But competitiveness does that the debate surrounding nepotism in the As Melissa*, a regular performer with CUPO, performing arts. To many this reeks of an ideal not promote nepotism; it simply prepares you Cambridge arts scene is still relevant. Indeed, has said: “if you know the right people, you’ve breeding ground for nepotism, but as Zarah* for the harsh realities outside of the Cambridge worthy of column inches dedicated to the got more chance [of being successful at audi- points out it is “easy to become part of [this student theatre scene. subject. tion]”. Or Ellie’s* analysis of her two failed circle]” and supports this with the fact that she attempts to get into Show Choir in second and has “been to auditions where I’m good friends * names have been changed upon request JOHANNES HJORTH 28 Friday 13th February 2015 Vulture Reviews Preview: Enter Shikari
Enter Shikari’s albums normally begin possible, rather than the knowledge of with a tirade. e band describes its the actual.’ e minute you show peo- music as “socially conscious” and the ple a viable and realistic alternative openings of its albums are always that is based in equality and sustain- quintessential evidence of this, wheth- ability using the latest technology we Overlooked: er addressing environmental issues, as have, people will demand it becomes in A Flash Flood of Colour, or calling reality, just like free wifi or the latest Scott Polar for solidarity in Common Dreads. phone upgrade.” eir new album, e Mindsweep, In his New York Times article Research released on 19th January, follows (How Has the Social Role of Poetry in the same vein; in fact it is more Changed Since Shelley?), Adam Institute explicit than ever, opening with “an Kirsch states: “Poets in our time appeal to the struggling and striving.” prefer to imagine themselves not as India Rose Matharu-Daley Despite achieving more mainstream legislators, but as witnesses – those success after their last album, peaking who look on, powerless to change the “Polar exploration is at once the at number four in the album charts, world, but sworn at least to tell the cleanest and most isolated way of it is clear that Enter Shikari’s colours truth about it.” Whether or not you having a bad time which has been have not changed. are aligned with the left wing of the devised,” wrote Apsley Cherry- When I interviewed Enter Shikari political spectrum, their belief in the Garrard in his memoir, e Worst earlier this month, they told me that power of culture to shape our society Journey in the World. It charted his e Mindsweep diff ers from previ- is refreshing. In a Britain where politi- experience of Captain Robert Fal- ous albums in that the “orchestral cians are failing to speak a language con Scott’s Terra Nova Expedition instruments are real and not sampled that the people understand, the to Antarctica. e explorers set out as before,” and is “a tad more passion- “socially conscious” music of Enter in 1910 with two aims: meteorolog- ate and determined than Flash Flood.” Shikari is especially pertinent. ical, geological, geographical and Listening to the album for the fi rst Although their music often ad- zoological scientifi c research; and time, this is clear from the outset; in dresses serious subject matter, the to be the fi rst to reach the South ‘ e Appeal & e Mindsweep I’, Rou band certainly know how to have Pole. e expedition’s most signifi - bellows: “there was never a broadcast a laugh. e iTunes bonus track cant contribution to science was the made of such urgency.” eir album ‘Slipshod’ is about poor restaurant discovery of fossils of the fern Glos- consists of regular diatribes against service and is accompanied by a sopteris, which are also found in the establishment, most explicitly in charming animated music video. Australia, India, Africa and South ‘Anaesthetist’, which expresses fears Moreover, when I asked Rou why he America. is suggested Antarctica regarding the privatisation of the had got rid of his dashing beard, he must once have been forested, and NHS, culminating in the impassioned responded: “I found myself becom- also helped to prove German geo- threat: “you want to profi t off our ing unrelentingly sexually attractive physicist Alfred Wegener’s theory health, step the f**k back.” to the opposite sex. Just nipping out of continental drift. As for the sec- Enter Shikari is very politically to get milk and cereal in the morning ond aim, however, Scott’s expedi- engaged, so I asked how they choose became an unyielding assault course tion failed. Roald Amundsen’s Nor- what issues to write their music of female yearning.” wegian team beat them to the Pole about: “Usually after the music begins e band has featured at the by 34 days. Scott’s party was hit by to take shape you can get a feel for Reading and Leeds festivals for nearly an ice blizzard on their return and, what emotions the piece will evoke a decade, and is renowned for the starved, exhausted and frostbitten, and maybe which subjects it may calibre of its performances, having all fi ve men died in March 1912. gravitate towards lyrically.” eir new- won Best Live Band awards from AIM I could not really fathom why an- est album also reprimands the Bank of and Kerrang. I asked what their most yone would voluntarily trek across England and outdated class divisions, memorable performance was: “I guess the Antarctic until my fi rst visit to and laments the myopia of our gen- the obvious answer would be any of the Scott Polar Research Institute, eration as a beluga whale. the years we’ve played Main Stage at a centre for research into the polar Discussing the widespread political Reading. Purely on account of it being regions. It boasts the world’s most apathy in Britain today, the band said: the festival I’d frequent as a punter comprehensive polar library and “It’s hard to encourage excitement and just feels like home base to us archives, off ers a Master’s and a about something that, on the surface, [sic]. We always get butterfl ies before Doctoral Degree in Polar Studies, is boring (even the word ‘politics’ going on and the audience is always and its Polar Museum introduces is usually greeted with a yawn from energised and dedicated for us.” the uninitiated to the history, cul- most) and it’s also hard to trigger For those unfamiliar with Enter ture and geography of the Arctic interest in something that doesn’t Shikari’s music, it is diffi cult to and Antarctic. involve people at all. One vote every classify it according to traditional e North and South Poles? few years is not a situation conducive genres. eir blend of post-hardcore, at’s nothing new, you might to interest; this system breeds apathy. electronic, and alternative metal, think. But did you know that the e Ancient Greeks would laugh often breaking into trance, metalcore, Arctic is actually an ocean with at what we now call ‘democracy’, a drum and bass and dubstep, makes varying ice cover? at the small word that derives from the Greek, them consistently exciting to watch area of land above the Arctic Circle ‘Demokratia’. In their truly participa- perform. ey are already famous for Selma is treeless and covered in perma- tory democracy, anyone politically/so- their human pyramids and electric totally absorbing. Each and every line frost? at Antarctica’s surface cially apathetic was labelled ‘idiotes’; mosh pits, and hold a record number has a power that perfectly represents ripples with mountains and active the root of our modern word, idiot. of crowd surfers. I asked whether the popular support that he was able volcanoes? at it is the world’s What we try and do with our music they had any new tricks planned; they to command; a notable moment being largest desert, but there are lakes isn’t just enrage people but embolden responded: “ e ‘Where’s Rory C’ him proclaiming “no more” inequality beneath its glaciers? at it was and empower them, the more includ- where the lights go down and Rory 2011. e federal government of in Selma’s grand church. is alone only discovered in 1820? ed and worthy people feel, the more scuttles off somewhere in the venue America opens a monument dedicated would build an enthralling, but ulti- By the end of the 19th century, interested and determined they’ll and fi rst person to fi nd him wins a to Martin Luther King Jr. Carved mately one-dimensional character. Yet, most of the Arctic coastlines had become. Another way to slap people meet and greet with our mate Filthy out of white marble, he adds to the in the hands of Oyelowo, King is not been mapped and charted, but out of apathy is to present them with Jon.” imposing selection of fi gures that just the icon memorialised in marble: Antarctica remained the earth’s future possibilities or alternative I will certainly be searching for bestride the USA’s capital. He was the he is a human being. Oyelowo creates last great terra incognita. Captain systems. is is another thing we try Rory, the band’s guitarist, when Enter father of the Civil Rights Movement; a terrible sense of urgency throughout Scott, before his ill-fated Terra to accomplish through supporting Shikari perform on 24th February at a man whose words live on in political King’s life, with constant threats to his Nova Expedition at least, rep- such organisations as the Zeitgeist the Cambridge Corn Exchange. is legend. And director Ava DuVernay family putting a strain on the stability resented the golden years of the Movement. Nye Bevan (the founder one is not for the faint-hearted, nor somehow managed to pull from this of everyone he loves. heroic age of exploration, when to of the NHS) once said ‘Discontent the closed-minded. well-trodden ground an original One particularly poignant moment set off into the dangerous un- arises from the knowledge of the Jonny Shamir narrative. sees King joking about Selma being known promised adventure, fame e fi lm’s plot focuses around “as good a place to die as any,” in and fortune. events in Selma, Alabama in 1965. answer to which his wife implores him At the beginning of the 21st Following his success in bringing to “not say that ever again.” Carmen century, the importance of the segregation to an end in 1964, Martin Ejogo lends brilliant support here Polar Research Institute lies in its Luther King Jr. turned his attention to as King’s wife, capturing the fear of environmental investigations. e POMONA/ENTER SHIKARI the issue of voting rights for African- death that being married to such an cryosphere, which encompasses all Americans. e fi lm centres around iconic protestor could instil. She is of the ice on the earth’s surface, is the three non-violent marches he led almost brought to the edge of reason one of the most dynamic compo- from Selma to Montgomery, all in by King’s work, frequently breaking nents of the planet’s climate sys- an eff ort to get the administration in down when they are alone together. tem. e better we understand the Washington DC to recognise the futil- Ultimately, this is DuVernay’s master- Arctic and Antarctic and the role ity of racial inequality. stroke, portraying that, however grand they play in the delicate balance of Undoubtedly, David Oyelowo is a political movement may seem, the our ecology, the more we will do to the star of the fi lm. He plays Martin fi gures at its head remain insecure, protect them. Luther King Jr. with a gravitas that is fl awed human beings. Reviews Vulture Friday 13th February 2015 29
William Blake at the Ashmolean
We now know him as a visionary written on a scroll. poet and one of the most remarkable ey truly seemed to be the essence minds of the eighteenth century. But of Innocence that Blake clung to in in his day, William Blake lived in near- his writings, fi nding insight where obscurity. His fi rst and only attempt to the rest of us, fallen into Experience, make a public name for himself came could not. I melted at their sweetness in 1809, when he mounted an exhibi- – pushing their glasses up their noses tion of his works in the fl at above his
PATHE, CLOUD EIGHT FILMS, PLAN B ENTERTAINMENT PATHE, and concentrating on Blake’s prints brother’s London shop. It was a mas- with the air of budding art historians sive failure. Barely anyone attended, – and I could swear that Blake twin- and its only review was so abusive kled at them through the works. and insulting that it sent Blake into a Indeed, it was hard to shake the depression of several years. feeling that Blake was present in these Michael Phillips’s William Blake: hallowed rooms. Especially in the Apprentice and Master exhibition is last: a tribute to his fi nal years and his a lovely correction – a re-writing of legacy. Reverence hung in this fi nal, the 1809 fl op. ree spacious rooms dimly-lit room. On the far side were in the Ashmolean are currently works by Blake and his followers, inhabited by a vibrant menagerie of arranged above a knee-height dais. prints, brilliantly coloured paintings, Many visitors perched there – as if we and enchanting ephemera – many of were all kneeling at some sort of altar. which are borrowed from Cambridge’s And perhaps the most striking piece own Fitzwilliam Museum – as well as was a plaster cast of Blake’s head, a reconstruction of Blake’s printing residing in an unassuming, yet holy studio. recess of the room. e bust was both After steeping myself in this be- godly and profane; a relic, and a man. witching corner of William Blake’s Separated from us only by a thin layer rich world, I sat down. Watching all of glass were his furrowed brow, his the people studying his work, I felt a wrinkles, his hairline. Visitors ap- sort of triumph for him, 200 years in proached him with a marked hesi- the making. tancy. We peered from afar to read the It was amazing to see the diff erent label and moved away with- out types of people that Blake attracts. An turning our backs, as if to older man, unapologetically sporting keep a respectful distance. vibrant pink corduroy trousers, halted Powerfully il- his cane in front of Nebuchadnezzar, luminated and and in him I saw a fl ash of Blake’s captivating, this impetuous spirit. bodiless head And then there were two boys seemed suspended who reminded me so of a young among us, a medi- William and his brother, Robert, as tative visitor to his they threaded their way in between own exhibition. their parents’ legs, clutching little And in this dusty notebooks and pencils. I watched as light, we held our various paintings arrested them, caus- breath – hop- ing them to feverishly bend to copy ing, waiting for ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM the fi gures into their notebooks, or cry his closed eyes to “Oh look at the diff erent colours!” or open. ask if their father could see what was Sarah Weston Inherent Vice
Adapting a omas Pynchon novel incomprehensible. While Anderson was always going to be a challenge. maintains that the plot isn’t meant to Pynchon’s books, known for their make sense and is arguably a repre- dense, complex and fantastical char- sentation of what our dope-taking acteristics, while making fantastic hero is experiencing, it makes the reading, seemed almost impossible to fi lm a very frustrating experience. Just put on the big screen. Yet if anyone when you think you’ve got a grasp was going to do it, it had to be Paul of it, Anderson introduces another omas Anderson, the great current character with another plot line, and American auteur, whose last two you’re suddenly thrown off course and fi lms, ere Will Be Blood and e back to where you started. Master, left a lasting impression. Yet While plot is hardly essential in Framing the central acting, nonviolent black protestors is ter- a distant dream to fi nal acceptance Inherent Vice, it pains me to say, does ere Will Be Blood and e Master, the fi lm draws out the ingrained ribly realistic. Jarring camerawork of racial equality. Jason Moran’s seem like a stumbling block. their characters are so rich and fas- nature of racial hostility in the draws you into the chaos, nota- construction of a score that jumps ere are undoubtedly great aspects cinating that plot and story become mid-20th-century American South. bly the tear gas and baton beat- between soaring orchestral pieces to Inherent Vice. First of all the fi lm an afterthought. Yet Inherent Vice Subtle nods to supposed African- ings of the fi lm’s fi rst march into and contemporary soul only adds to looks incredible. Shot on 35mm by is so plot-heavy and goes at such a American inferiority absorb the au- Montgomery. But this is combined the fi lm’s poignancy. Robert Elswit and full of vivid colours rapid pace that you can’t connect with dience in the incivilities of the time. with heart-breaking poignancy. e Oyelowo’s delivery of King’s to match its hippy, free-spirited char- either the story or the characters, A scene that particularly aff ected scene in which Jimmie Lee Jackson speech at Montgomery is the per- acters, you can’t help being sucked leaving you in a clueless state of delu- me was a conversation between (a black protestor, played very ably fect backdrop to the march, acting into the dreamy, weed-infused world sion. Although I stayed till the end, I King and President Johnson (Tom by Keith Stanfi eld) is murdered for almost to tie the terrible suff ering of of 1970s California. Radiohead’s Jonny have to admit that at least 10 people Wilkinson), in which the latter peacefully protesting is one of the the black population to the realisa- Greenwood once again provides an walked out at various parts of the fi lm, most touching of the whole fi lm. tion of the dream of equality. I defy incredible score, which, mixed with suggesting that it was too much for KING IS NOT JUST THE ICON His mother’s raw cries, juxtaposed you to watch the growing crescendo an incredible soundtrack of 70s hits, some. with the staring corpse, is a perfect to ‘Glory Alleluia’ without shedding makes the fi lm sound amazing. Yet throughout Inherent Vice’s MEMORIALISED IN MARBLE: symbol for the thousands of black a tear. It’s also not surprising to say that 148-minute running time I was never people brutalised by segregation in Ultimately, this fi lm is a necessity its star-studded cast really knocks it bored. Anderson is such a fascinating HE IS A HUMAN BEING 20th-century America. in modern cinema. Beneath the veil out of the park. Joaquin Phoenix, with fi lmmaker that he somehow manages e cinematography adds to the of this portrayal of the success of his portrayal of dope-loving PI Doc to keep you interested in spite of your congratulates the former on the tangibility of DuVernay’s portrayal the Civil Rights Movement is a defi - Sportello, shows us once again that, reservations. And at the end of the “trinkets” he has gained (the Nobel of events. King’s fi nal successful nite need to bring race back to the despite his awkward public persona, day, from the moment the action kicks Peace Prize) and proceeds to then march into Montgomery is divided forefront of American conscious- he is in fact one of the most diverse in, you can tell that Inherent Vice is ‘apologise’ for the fact that “this into footage from the fi lm and ness. e piece’s Oscar-nominated actors around. Josh Brolin, mean- a fi lm that demands to be seen more voting thing is gonna have to wait.” actual coverage of the real march original song, ‘Glory’, proclaims while, is laugh-out loud hilarious as than once. Such degrading dialogue from the in 1965. is brings King’s work that “we walk through Ferguson LAPD Cop ‘Bigfoot’ Bjornsen. Yet ere’s defi nitely a great fi lm in President reinforces the sweeping back to life, depicting the real men with our hands up.” is is clearly it’s newcomer Katherine Waterson there somewhere, and because I love nature of racism as an ideology. It and women that fought for their a story that the production sees as as Sportello’s ex-girlfriend Shasta Fay Anderson so much I’m willing to give was more than the violent treat- right to be free. e juxtaposition far from over. And in a time when Hepworth who steals the show. She him my time and watch the fi lm again ment of black people; it was an between the real black and white men are still killed for their colour is only on screen for what feels like a at some point. However, for viewers ingrained belief that black people footage and the rich colours of the in America, and Hollywood fails total of 10 minutes, but relishes every looking to see Inherent Vice just the were an ‘inferior’ race, making their fi lm’s portrayal acts almost as a to nominate any black actors, I am moment and I hope to see more of her once, you might fi nd yourself walking rights secondary to those of whites. metaphor for Civil Rights’ success, inclined to agree with them. in the future. out before the lights are switched Equally, the brutal treatment of demonstrating the transition from Alexander Izza However, Inherent Vice’s main back on. problem is its plot, which is basically Will Roberts 30 Friday 13th February 2015 Sport Mental haggis and Murray’s failures A look at the real
reasons behind his CARINE06 failures
James D lley Sport Correspondent
“Knock knock.” “Who’s there?” “Andy.” “Andy who?” “Andy Murray.” at’s right folks, Andy Murray is back in business. Or is he? After an average 2014, which saw Murray fail to reach even one Grand Slam fi nal, every- one’s favourite grumpy Scot appeared to have turned over a new leaf when he reached the fi nal hurdle of the Australian Open in January. e old foe Djokovic lay in wait, but he lay battered; the Serb was clearly nursing some injuries, as the constant wincing and grimac- ing after every point showed. Yet Murray, having brought the match level after a fi rst set dropped to ol’ Novak, proceed- ed to capitulate in the third set, “If you tell me how to beat you I’ll-” “Andy, please, don’t touch me” going on to lose as his opponent made a remarkable comeback. an Adidas-sponsored William like a honey badger with lock- visible; the frustration, in al- of “Come on Andeh!” will only loser blues and start winning. A dejected Andy promised to Wallace – only to be exposed by jaw as the match fell beyond his most every case, palpable. go so far; one day, those crazed Choose strength. Choose do better next year, and that a far stronger opponent as limp, weakened grasp. Something, One thing is for certain: fans will give up and start fol- courage. Choose life, Andy. was that. Off he trotted. wet, smoked Alex Salmond. therefore, needs to change if Murray’s mental defi ciencies lowing NASCAR instead. e Only then will you become the Now at this point, one might And year after year, the Murray is to reach again the will be the death of his career if nation’s moodiest sporting su- hero that Britain so desperately wish to question how and why British public reminded itself heady heights of 2012. Perhaps he does not sort them out. Cries perstar needs to ditch those needs. Murray failed so comprehen- that because, like Salmond, the lad could employ a sports sively after showing such grit to Murray was Scottish, his sur- psychologist to help him un- get to one set all at the close of render was permissible and derstand that when things the second. And I have the an- even – dare I say – funny. aren’t going according to plan, swer: Murray, as he has shown ings seemed to have you don’t just – well – give up. many times before in his career, changed after Murray em- What you do is step your is a weakling. Not physically; no. ployed the services of tennis game up a level, just like all the I envy his Adonis-like fi gure, legend Ivan Lendl as his coach greats do. Ask Federer, Nadal especially every time I stumble in 2011: there was something or Djokovic how they man- out of the gym. It isn’t that he’s new in the fi bre of the man. age to stay so stoic in the face puny. Rather the problem lies He appeared strong, focused, of adversity – although they in his mind: somewhere, deep determined to win, possess- probably won’t tell you. Ditch in the mental codex of Andy ing a tenacity that even began Mauresmo and bring Lendl Murray, is a glitch that needs to challenge that of the infalli- back. Do something. Bribe the fi xing. ble Rafael Nadal. And, behold, umpire, I don’t know. Murray’s mental breakdown Murray deservedly went on to Next time you watch Murray on court in Melbourne had ech- win his fi rst Wimbledon title in play, look closely and you’ll see oes of those seen earlier in his 2013. what I mean. Watch his face career. Year after year Murray Yet here he was again in when his opponent gets a break stormed through to the semi- January 2015 – admittedly with point. Read his lips as he drops fi nals of Wimbledon, the US a new coach in the form of a point. e storm clouds in- Open, the Australian Open, like Amélie Mauresmo – grimacing side the man’s head are almost
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* cannot be used in association with any special ofers 32 Friday 13th February 2015 Can Andy Murray get back to his best? James Dilley reveals the real reason behind his failures
Sport From Varsity to the BBC: Dan Roan BBC Sports much I enjoyed it and the thrill that Cambridge one day and on page 8, one such interview, with Patrick Vieira my wife is very understanding.” comes with breaking stories, writ- I had to double take – there was my in 2012, that led to him being banned It is evident, speaking to Roan, that Editor, Dan Roan, ing the news and getting your work name, he’d mentioned and thanked me from the Etihad stadium. sport is not just about the winners and published.” in the preface. “ ey don’t happen very often!” he losers. For him, it is about the stories. refl ects on his career His job at the Union was to generate “To be mentioned in his book gave quickly clarifi es. “But I learnt from that. Brazil, of course, saw widespread so- some noise in the papers and on televi- me the inspiration I needed to believe No one likes to get banned. Football cial unrest and huge protests over the Peter Rutzler sion at a time when the organisation’s that this could be done.” clubs are very protective, they’re in- World Cup. Sport Ed tor profi le and reputation were way be- From Cambridge, Roan successfully creasingly reluctant to answer diffi cult He speaks of the scandals unfolding hind Oxford’s. “I got a bit of a buzz out applied for a BBC Trainee Scheme, questions. during the last Ashes test down under, of it, both the PR of it and equally the attaining one of eight places out of “You have to ask diffi cult questions, England’s “Stag do” Rugby World Cup I must admit, when Dan Roan accepted coverage.” Often, he would use the role thousands of applicants. “ at’s where you can’t be afraid of that even if you in New Zealand, as well as highlight- my off er to be interviewed, I was noth- to get interviews for Varsity, a way he I feel I owe Cambridge and Fitzwilliam clash with those that you’re interview- ing the remarkable stories of the likes ing short of thrilled. Roan, a Varsity could combine his work with both. a huge debt, because I suspect without ing. I’d like to think that if you ask de- of Oscar Pistorious which captivate the sports writer come good, is certainly Roan remembers his excitement that, I wouldn’t have made it, or at least cent questions in a polite manner, you public consciousness. an inspiration for any aspiring journal- when boxers Prince Naseem and Chris it would have been a lot harder.” can usually be okay.” “Sport, it inspires, it’s escapism, it’s ist such as myself. Familiar to anyone Eubank visited the Union, accompa- After the Trainee Scheme, Roan Roan has certainly encountered drama, it’s triumph over adversity, it’s who watches the BBC’s national news nied on both occasions by an entou- worked as a producer for BBC Look some challenging characters. You only victory and defeat and great personal programmes, the former Cambridge rage of journalists. But a memory of North and BBC Breakfast before join- have to watch his remarkable world stories. But it’s also about politics, graduate has gone on to cover some of one speaker particularly stands out. ing Sky Sports News in 2003, having exclusive with Lance Armstrong two business, society and law and crime the world’s greatest sporting events, in- “ e biggest single factor was when narrowly missed out on a place at Sky weeks ago as a perfect example. at and legacy, the ethics and integrity. But cluding three FIFA World Cups and the John Simpson came one day. I met News. Within weeks he was given the interview, which at the time he was on top of all these things it matters. London 2012 Olympics, as well as en- him, interviewed him, and wrote to chance to broadcast live, something unable to tell me about, was the hard- Sport can move people like no other hancing his reputation as a prominent him afterwards and asked for work ex- that he’d never had the chance to do est he’d ever had to do. But amongst area of life.” interviewer, posing tough questions to perience and he said yeah. before. the toughest interviewees, including a 2015 promises to be another great the likes of Sepp Blatter, Bernie Eccle- “I went along, I spent a few weeks “Every time I got an opportunity, I tight-lipped post-bribery trial Bernie year of sport. e Rugby World Cup, stone and of course, most recently, to there in the world aff airs unit at the thought, I’ve got to make this count.” Ecclestone, Roan singles out Sir Alex which will be held in England, particu- disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong in BBC, at the television centre, and I “It was a much more meritocratic Ferguson, who he describes as “not larly stands out. Can England win it? an enthralling encounter. met all the big names, Ben Brown, Sue place because it was a smaller, upcom- used to journalists standing up to him.” “Well they should win it, with home Having grown up in Northampton, a Lloyd-Roberts. It fascinated me. ing channel, and they were desperate But for Roan, it is those challenges that advantage, and they’ve got more play- city he describes as having an “under- “A few weeks later, his fi rst book for people to grab opportunities and he relishes. ers to pick from than anybody else,” he rated sporting tradition”, especially with came out, it was called Strange Places, prove their worth whereas at the BBC “It’s what makes the job fun,” he argues. respect to their rugby and cricket clubs, Questionable People, his fi rst big auto- I’d been waiting for years. At Sky I was says. “But they’re still in the cycle of de- Roan, 38, graduated from Fitzwilliam biography. I looked at it while walking given the chance to prove myself and Besides his interviews, Roan has velopment. is World Cup has come a College in 1998 with a degree in Social through when I did, I was rewarded with more covered a plethora of leading global couple of years too early for Lancaster and Political Sciences (now HSPS). opportunities.” sports events. He was in Brazil last year than where he’d ideally want it to. During his time at Cambridge, he was Roan certainly made an impression for the football world cup, the third he “ ey’ve got a chance, a real chance, involved heavily with the Union and because, in 2007, he was appointed has now covered. He has also followed but there’s also a chance they’ll go out this newspaper, and overall, de- Chief News Reporter. the Lions tour of Australia, the Ashes in the group stages. spite the intense workload, he But it’s not all been plain sail- test Down Under as well as the Rugby “It’s New Zealand or South Africa looks back at his time at uni- ing. A year after his appointment, World Cup in New Zealand. for me.” versity fondly. Roan decided to join Setanta on He was also at the heart of the BBC’s As the conversation draws to a close, “I worked so hard when a four year contract, but nine coverage of the London 2012 Olympic I ask him about the future of journal- I was there. I wasn’t one months later, he was made Games, something he described as ism as an evolving, increasingly online, of those guys you meet redundant when Setanta GB “amazing to experience”. But he points industry. “I can’t imagine life without at Cambridge who it all collapsed. out that his experience was very diff er- Twitter,” he says, and he particularly comes naturally to, who “I went from being Chief ent to those sitting at home or relaxing praises the advantages of social media, eff ortlessly get through News Reporter, a great job, in the stands. especially as a “news wire” where you their course. very lucky, really happy, to “You’re so immersed in it, up early, can fi nd out information fi rst. “But I was into being out of work wonder- bed late, the work is so intense, and e variety of platforms from which my sport, a lot. I ing what on earth had I done, you’re working for such tight dead- you can tell stories, from the short played football for with a wife and a mortgage lines. Your report has to be there for and sweet nature of a tweet to a three the college, and and everything else.” the six or ten o’clock news. Even if it’s minute news bulletin to a copious blog that was so impor- “If you’d said to me then about an event that has literally just entry, are all areas that Roan enjoys tant to me.” that I’d be Sports Editor at fi nished and you have minutes to turn about the digital age. But at the same Roan was also the BBC. I would have said it around. time, while believing that newspapers Press Offi cer at the ‘You’re nuts, it’s simply im- “But when you do get to experience will prove to be resilient to the online Union, and this, possible. I’ve got to start all it, it’s ‘wow, I’m the luckiest guy in the switch in the same way that books have combined with his over again.’” world to be here.’” responded, he shares his concerns over work for Varsity, were But Roan did just that. Two His job has allowed him to travel what he terms a “tendency in recent particularly infl uen- years after the Setanta col- to places that he’d never thought he’d times, wrongly, to keep things quite tial. “Writing for Varsity lapse, he would return to the be able to visit, such as Brazil for the simple, that it promotes the trivial over honed my passion for BBC as a Sports Correspondent, World Cup, an event which he de- the in-depth.” journalism, getting my and in 2014, he was made Sports scribed as the single greatest event “I love the great sports documenta- head around what it Editor. he’d ever covered. “It was romantic” ries, sports novels and sports books, I took, discovering “It’s been an 11 year journey from he said, “you had good underdogs, you hope there will be a fi ght-back of more h o w when I left. When I was made editor had Suarez, you had the 7-1, you had in depth sports journalism going for- the people who I’d worked with before the right winner, it had everything.” ward, even though it’s online.”
SOPHIEcould BUCK not believe this was possible.” Travelling, of course, does take its As we move towards a digital age in roughout his career, Roan toll on family life. Roan describes how journalism, an increasing online focus has conducted many he has missed all three of his son’s and a desire for more information on memorable, but birthdays. the move, one thing we can be sure of often tricky, “It’s not great,” he says. “You can nev- is that great sport, and great stories, iinter- n t e r - er say with any certainty that you’ll be will continue. For Roan, having the views. there. If something happens, all your opportunities to tell these stories is a I ask plans go out of the window. “tremendous privilege”. h i m “It’s a very unpredictable life, and “It’s challenging, but it’s worth it. No about you have to learn to roll with that, but doubt about it.”