Culture & Literature – Page 21 of 35

8Dec

By SumibalNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Music

Leonard Cohen #Legend

Sumi Bal reflects on the tragic loss of Leonard Cohen. Another one bites the dust. What a crappy year for humanity. On the plus side, there’s only about six weeks left of this BS we call 2016. Leonard Cohen died on the 7th of November and, despite being 82 and having a good run at this life thing, it came as very unexpected. For those who are unaware, Leonard Cohen (1934-2016) was a Canadian poet, singer and songwriter, known for his song, 'Hallelujah'. Other notable songs are 'Suzanne', 'Famous Blue Raincoat' and 'Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye'. 'Chelsea Hotel No 2' is one of my favourites, which is supposedly about a love affair Cohen had with Janis Joplin. I’ll be the first to admit his baritone voice isn’t for everyone, even if it is hauntingly beautiful. If it isn’t f...

5Dec

By Ruby_rogersNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Music

The Carnabys

Ruby Rogers chatted to indie rock band The Carnabys after their gig at the Students' Union. “Do we think that Jack could fit into your skinny tights?” asks Ben Gittins, guitar player of up and coming indie rock band The Carnabys. We never did find out the answer (maybe next time?) but I quickly realised that my pre-interview nerves were almost totally unwarranted. Chatting to Ben and lead singer Jack Mercer after the gig felt more like chatting to your significantly cooler mates at the pub, mates who’ve toured with Blondie (“Yeah, you’d just sit down and have a bit of soup with Debbie [Harry]”) and played gigs at the Roundhouse. Playing at the Students’ Union as part of the tour for their debut album ‘Too Much Never Enough’ on Saturday 5th November was the third time I had seen T...

Carlos Acosta: from Poverty to Ballet Stardom

2Dec

By Victoria BastableNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Carlos Acosta: from Poverty to Ballet Stardom

“Passion meets power and precision”: Victoria Bastable explores the career of Carlos Acosta In October I was honoured to see Carlos Acosta perform in ‘Carlos Acosta: A Classical Farewell’ at The Royal Albert Hall. His ovation lasted for at least 20 minutes, and the whole audience was on their feet, not just for the performance that evening, but for his career. Acosta has brought passion and charisma to dance in Britain and throughout the world. There is no adjective to describe watching Carlos dance, because the sensation is visceral. Passion meets power and precision. His incredible jumps and charismatic stage presence combined with technical skill and athleticism acquired over 17 years as a principal dancer at the Royal Ballet and as a Guest Principal Artist in all leading Ball...

A Triumphant Team Effort at the ‘Winter Concert’.

26Nov

By Georgia BeithNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Music

A Triumphant Team Effort at the ‘Winter Concert’.

This year’s Winter Concert was a lovely collaborative effort between two of Royal Holloway’s many choirs: the Gospel Choir and the resident A capella choir, Absolute Harmony. Set against the simply stunning backdrop of the Chapel in Founder’s Hall, the two choirs treated the audience to a selection of songs, both new and old, traditional and contemporary, to create a special evening of live music. Topped off with a traditional Christmas carol, performed by both choirs together, it was a great way to get into the festive spirit. Perhaps some questions could be raised over whether some of the song choices were quite appropriate, considering the particularly religious venue, but I’m sure no one would have changed the setting for the world. Besides from being visually beautiful, the high ec...

Shakespeare Society Presents ‘Much Ado About Nothing’

24Nov

By Georgia BeithNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Shakespeare Society Presents ‘Much Ado About Nothing’

For their first term production, Royal Holloway’s Shakespeare Society are tackling one of Shakespeare’s best loved comedies: Much Ado About Nothing. It’s no small feat taking on such a well known play, but it’s a challenge they rise to wonderfully. It’s the age old tale of a love/hate relationship as we watch Beatrice (Olivia Dutson) and Benedick (Dan Scott) bicker their way through the marriage of Claudio (Will Maidment) and Hero (Samantha Van Den Esschert) and the troublesome scheming of Don John (Tom Knight), the bastard half brother of the honourable Don Pedro (Momin Ahmad). No production of Much Ado would be complete without the iconic overhearing scenes, which are staged hilariously, and this time there’s even the appearance of a small dance number – because, why not? The s...

21Nov

By Susanna clarkNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Never Swim Alone – Review

Image by Sophie Morgan Susanna Clark reviews The Student Workshop's production of Never Swim Alone. The Student Workshop’s production of Never Swim Alone is, simply put, a triumph. Frank (played by Jack Read) and Bill (played by Azan Ahmed) are two adult men who were once childhood friends and maintain a façade of the continuation of this friendship, despite their destructive rivalry. The play is structured as a competition with 13 rounds, each of which is judged by the referee (played by Tabatha Gregg). In each round the men attempt to prove their superiority over each other: whichever man argues his case best is awarded a point by the referee. The points are recorded on a whiteboard in a prime position for all to see: a reminder of the constant struggle amongst men to prove the...

20Nov

By Victoria BastableNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

‘Bluebird’: Brave, bold and beautiful.

Drama Society’s production of ‘Bluebird’ by Simon Stephens is filled with raw and visceral emotion. I have to commend director Emily Young for her bravery and experimentation in this very well executed production. Jimmy (Rafael Aptroot) is a taxi driver. He is sullen and monosyllabic. We, the audience, are voyeurs of Jimmy’s interactions with his ‘fares’ on what appears to be typical night’s work for him. From grieving fathers, to smooching couples, to a young sex worker; the customers in Jimmy’s taxi tell their story of living on the margins of society and their fragmented tales create a mirage of the bleak possibility of life in London. ‘Bluebird’ is not the sort of production you can passively enjoy: thought provoking and emotionally charged would be more apt descriptions, althoug...

‘Lady Be Good’ made this lady feel good!

19Nov

By Victoria BastableNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Music, Theatre & Performance

‘Lady Be Good’ made this lady feel good!

‘Lady Be Good’ made this lady feel good! Last night I was treated to the Savoy Opera Society’s main term show ‘Lady Be Good’, music and book by George and Ira Gershwin, directed by Monte Marché. It was the perfect start to my weekend. I was giggling and singing the songs all the way home! The plot follows the misadventures of brother and sister Dick Trevor (Tom Chippendale) and Susie Trevor (Jenny Collins) after becoming destitute on the streets of New York. Their struggle to turn their fortunes around leads to false marriage proposals to the rich and glamorous Josephine Vanderwater (Sarah Vanderplank), falling onto the wrong side of the law via the misguidance of the mischievous lawyer Watty Watkins (Will Davidson) and a run in with Mexican gangsters, lead by the serial murderess Ma...

MTS Presents ‘Bring It On’: From the Perspective of a Sideline Cheerleader.

15Nov

By Joanne ArcherNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

MTS Presents ‘Bring It On’: From the Perspective of a Sideline Cheerleader.

Orbital's Joanne Archer reviews Musical Theatre Society's performance of Bring It On. Every time I watch MTS perform I laugh, I smile, and deep down I am envious of their superhuman talents. Bring It On was no exception to the rule. Walking through the SU main hall doors, I realised that this show was unconventional, I became aware I was entering from “backstage”; the hall layout having been rotated to allow for a basketball court to be taped down to the SU flooring. With lockers, banners and photo collages, I immediately felt like I was in an American movie. The show itself was certainly not the “glorified High School Musical” that one might have assumed it to be. We follow in the footsteps of Campbell, the relatively down-to-earth and newly elected cheer captain of Truman High Sch...

4Nov

By Laura LawrenceNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Stage School Trouble

E4's new structured reality TV drama 'Stage School' has caused a lot of controversy recently. So much so that after its very first episode a petition to have the show taken off air arose online. The argument is that the show is an utter misrepresentation of what stage school is actually like. Orbital spoke to Roho’s very own MTS president Stephen Johnson who felt that, 'E4's Stage School is a false representation of studying at drama school. Not only does it make for appalling TV, but is frankly dangerous to prospective drama school applicants who may be put off applying and for the entertainment industry in general. Performing arts can provide a stage for current important societal and political events. Stage school however, empresses the stereotypical vindictive and venomous behavi...