Monday, April 29Royal Holloway's offical student publication, est. 1986

Author: Laura Denham

Opinion

21st Century Rules For Dating

The mobile phone has come a long way since its creation in 1973, creeping in and taking over every aspect of our lives, especially how we now conduct relationships. For me, texting has changed how the modern day romance functions. The use of telephones in relationships is not new. I remember my parents telling me how they racked up huge phone bills in the first few weeks of their relationship, spending hours every night on the phone, in Kent and Hampshire. However the difference between the early 90s and now is that back then, they were talking. They might not have had face-to-face contact but they could at least hear each other, whether they were excited, happy, or sad. And most importantly they received a reply straight away. It has been suggested that young people these days are less p...
News

Most Restrictive Abortion Law in Europe

Spanish Prime Minister Marino Rajoy has caused a storm amongst the Spanish public as his government attempts to tighten abortion laws, controversially becoming one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. The current government are pushing for abortions to only be permissible in instances of sexual assault, or if the mother's psychological or physical health is at risk. Women would additionally need to find two independent doctors willing to testify that the mother would be in danger if she were to carry the foetus to full term. These plans have been met with outrage in and around Spain. A survey conducted by the polling organisation ‘Metroscopia' for El País' newspaper in January revealed that 86% of Spaniards believed that women should have the right to choose whether to termi...
News

Queen to Visit Royal Holloway

The Queen will be conducting a visit to Royal Holloway on Friday 14th of March. She will be accompanied by His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, to present a prestigious music award to the department. The ‘Regius Professorship' dates back to the 16th century and this is the first time it has been awarded to a Department of Music. Principal, Professor Paul Layzell says: ‘It is a great honour that our Department of Music has been given such world-class recognition, confirming its position as one of the best in the country.' On the day, students will be able to stand outside the north tower where they can watch Her Majesty arrive in her car. The ceremony will be followed by a private reception in the Picture Gallery afterwards. While this will be a mostly private event, the Student's...
News

Floods Cause Havoc!

As large parts of England and Wales brace itself for yet another barrage of heavy rain and very strong winds it is unsurprising to learn the Met Office has issued ‘red warnings' for North-West England and Wales with risk to life and widespread damage expected. Southern and Central regions have not gone unscathed as there are as many as sixteen severe flood warnings across Berkshire, Surrey and Somerset. The heavy rain which has been coming down since December has already resulted in entire villages becoming islands and widespread road and rail closures, and it doesn't appear to be stopping any time soon. For many Royal Holloway students living in Egham and the surrounding area the floods are a real danger. For one particular resident of Strode Street, Egham, each day brings new anxiety o...
Sports & Socs

A Review of the Ashes

Australia have annihilated this wretchedly poor England side. England have been pilloried by the Australian media, pulverised by the pace of Johnson and Harris and battered submissive by the tenacity of the Aussie batsmen. The (deranged) English Supporters who presumed the series to be a foregone conclusion have been made to look foolish. England were ‘marmalised' in Brisbane by a colossal 381 runs thanks to hundreds from the pugnacious Warner and captain Clarke, sandwiched in between the mustachioed Johnson's extreme pace, frightening the England batsmen into handing him 9 wickets in the match. In Adelaide, England were similarly thumped by 218 runs. Australia's 570-9 dec was built upon hundreds from Clarke and the irrepressible Haddin. The English reply was nothing short of atrocious wi...
Sports & Socs

January’s Four to Watch!

The Ping-Pong Revolution is afoot! As we enter the second term of the year and the second term where RHUL has been graced by their sparkly new Table Tennis team, things are looking good for our young ping-pongers! The Men's team currently sit unbeaten at the top of their league following their most recent victory against Middlesex University and at this point in proceedings are virtually guaranteed promotion. The Women's teams are currently gearing up for a big match – against each other! – for a place in the semi-final for their division. As well as all of this good news, 3 Men's players and 3 Women's players are looking to enter the BUCs Individual Championships which will take place in Nottingham later in February. Good luck to them! Lastly a nod to our friends over at the A...
Sports & Socs

Ballond’Or: RHUL Men’s Football Discuss Who They Feel Should Have Won

Cristiano Ronaldo What a blockbuster year 2013 was for CR7! The fact his Real Madrid side had a trophy-less campaign is of even greater credit to his stellar performances and standout solo contributions for club and country. The highly coveted accolade of FIFA Ballon d'Or is an individual award and, one against one, nobody comes close to the Madeira-born celebrity. His staggering statistics for the 11 months prior to the closing date for voting are absolutely astounding! Ronaldo struck 67 goals in 56 appearances – somehow bettering his total tally of 63 in 2012. All is placed into perspective when fellow contenders Ribéry and Messi managed to net 64 between them! A magnificent term culminated with the talisman's titanic triple in the 2nd half of that World Cup play-off 2nd leg against Swe...
Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

American Psycho: The Musical!

“There is no real me: only an entity, something illusory. Though I can hide my cold gaze, and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable… I simply am not there.” If I'm honest, the main draw for me to go and see American Psycho: The Musical at the Almeida Theatre, was that Matt Smith was starring as Patrick Bateman, and also to spite my mother as she was unable to get any tickets. I've never read the book. I hadn't seen the film adaptation. I had no clue what to expect, except to try and get Matt Smith to smile at me in the audience. It was amazing. Everything was perfect to a tee. Every actor really took over their role, every dance move was eye catching and the use of original and 80's music was brought togethe...
Culture & Literature, Film & TV

Film Reviews: ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ and ‘American Hustle’

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug I do not like fantasy films… There, I said it. Then why am I reviewing this film, you ask? Regardless of my tastes, I know a good film when I see one. The original trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, was stunning, and deserved its colossal Oscar haul. The plot, for me, was the key: Peter Jackson took a fantasy story, and made it entertaining for everyone; not only was there quality in the script, but also in the acting and the direction of photography. What most people were wondering was whether Jackson could repeat those same feats. The first instalment in the Hobbit trilogy, An Unexpected Journey, was a good start, introducing us effectively to this prequel world and its characters. The Desolation of Smaug, however, had to up the ante. We find the characte...
Culture & Literature, Visual Arts

An Interview with Martin Parr

“It is estimated that more photographic images have been taken in the past twelve months than in the entire history of photography.” – Hannah Redler, Head of Media Space at the Science Museum. His new exhibition ‘Only in England' displays his own early work from the 1970's, ‘The Non Conformists' alongside many of Ray-Jones photographs, some never before seen, picked by Parr himself to be displayed. This exhibition gives great insight into what life was really like in an arguably bleak England for many in the 1960's and 70's and projects a desire to document what both Ray Jones and Parr saw as disappearing way of life in England. Both photographers are cleverly able to make ordinary and somewhat bleak situations interesting and surprisingly funny in their photographs. Though Ray Jones' fea...