Friday, May 3Royal Holloway's offical student publication, est. 1986

Sports & Socs

Shakespeare-A-Thon
Sports & Socs

Shakespeare-A-Thon

The Shakespeare society kicked off the first week of February with the Shakespeare-A-Thon. Stationed outside the Windsor building, they braved the biting cold to bring the Bard to campus farers. The Shakespeare-A-Thon follows on the tails of the society’s 5th Anniversary show which took place on January 25th. I spoke to Dan Jones, President of Shakespeare society, to share the motivation behind the Shakespeare-A-Thon and the 5th Anniversary Show. ‘Last year the RHUL Shakespeare Society were fortunate enough to win Best RAG Event at the Societies Ball with our Read-A-Thon, so this year we're increasing the challenge and making the event bigger, bolder and bardier. In addition to reading the classic 37 plays, including the infamous Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth, we've thrown in 4 additio...
Spotlight on Circus Society
Sports & Socs

Spotlight on Circus Society

You may have seen Circus society around last term blazing their trail on the local scene and establishing themselves as a performing arts society. I ambled in to one of their training sessions to catch them in their element. Almost immediately after walking in I could feel the sense of community and togetherness that Circus emanated. With background music boosting the energy, Circus made a creative space to express themselves in. During the session I spoke to the President of the society Humarrah Shiekh. What was a highlight from last term? I think a highlight was the big gig that we had on bonfire night at Foresters Arms as we got to join the locals in the pub; we had a huge turnout and it was really good fun. We ended up getting loads of new people so it was great. Any events plan...
The Christian Union present the Mark Drama
Sports & Socs

The Christian Union present the Mark Drama

"It's about 80% shouting and 20% crying" was one reaction to the Mark Drama, a 90 minute exploration of the gospel of Mark by the Christian Union. Perhaps this is an exaggeration, but this comment expresses how immersive the experience is. The show is in-the-round, with three aisles and action going on all around the audience, as well as in the centre of the circle. You are truly part of the performance and it's hard not to join in at points. The cast interact with you and address you, as if you were truly there. And so it is that you experience what the book of Mark has to say. Being run by the Christian Union it is about Jesus, but not aggressively so. Not every character believes what he has to say, and even those that do show their doubts and changes in opinion. The acting is ...
Acapalooza
Sports & Socs

Acapalooza

Absolute Harmony’s very own acapella festival has now become a yearly tradition. The aim was simple: five days of acapella related entertainment. Acapalooza commenced on January 25th with a very successful open rehearsal followed by lip sync battles in Medicine, which had a record number of students in attendance. The following day there was a viewing of Pitch Perfect 2, where snacks were available for purchase; the money was then kindly donated to charity. Mid-week, Absolute Harmony and The Voices of Holloway created ‘Absolute Voice Swap’, where both choirs swapped musical directors for the evening. The Voices showcased their amazing dance to: ‘Do You Love Me’, there was shimmying, sliding and clapping which most of Absolute Harmony got the hang of by the end of the rehearsal.  Then Voi...
BBC Broadcasting House Tour a hit for Media Society
Sports & Socs

BBC Broadcasting House Tour a hit for Media Society

A gloomy January day was no obstacle for Media Society as members and non-members enjoyed their first event of 2016: a trip to BBC Broadcasting House. Our group was eclectic, with students studying a wide range of subjects from all across Europe, and included people who hoped to work in the broadcasting industry and those who simply wanted to gain an inside look at a British institution. The intimate tour provided both of these things and more, looking at news, radio and television across the BBC network. We started with a peek at the behind the scenes cameras for the news studios and radio areas which we couldn’t visit in person, with our knowledgeable tour guides providing a commentary on what is happening outside of the studio areas we see on TV. One set we did get the opportunity...
Society Spotlight: Vegetarian and Vegan Society
Sports & Socs

Society Spotlight: Vegetarian and Vegan Society

I should probably begin by saying that the author of this article (yours truly) is also the president of the titular society. Some would say this was a conflict of interest, but it’s really just plain and simple bragging about how far we’ve come since the society first became official in 2014. The Vegetarian and Vegan society may not be campus legends – yet – but the growing interest in veggie lifestyles is reflected by a growing society membership. (more…)
Spotlight on: Volleyball
Sports & Socs

Spotlight on: Volleyball

After a hugely successful season last year, Volleyball has gained a growing fan base. With the women’s team continuing their unstoppable winning streak, I speak to President Ludovica De Santis and Vice President Robert Batterbury to find out more. How has your year gone so far? So far the Women’s team has won nearly all of their matches, and reached the finals of the National Indoor Students Cup, so we’ve had a very strong year! The men’s team has also fought strong, with a fresh new team ready to dominate the future. What makes Volleyball a unique sport on campus? We have a huge amount of international students playing for us, with the women’s team in fact being made up entirely of international students, so it gives everyone the opportunity to meet and team up with people from al...
New kids on the block
Sports & Socs

New kids on the block

Led by president Tristan Johnson (3rd year PPE student), and his merry wanderers, Red Cup Company has taken Royal Holloway by storm in their awesome stash throwing insane socials, SU movie nights and even hosting their own events at Egham’s finest: The Monkeys Forehead. Despite only becoming an official society last September this social enterprise has accumulated over 70 new members and hope to gain more as the year goes on making them one of the fastest growing societies; especially considering they have managed to branch out to the University of Westminster, who have created their own Red Cup Company this year. Not only do they throw what some people have called ‘the best pre-drinks ever’ thanks to their sponsor Ruby Wines, but they also have monthly events at the Monkeys called R...
Christian Union plans annual Events Week for February
Sports & Socs

Christian Union plans annual Events Week for February

After a term, or more, at Royal Holloway it is very likely that you will have come across the Christian Union, and if you haven’t then you are sure to bump into them during their events week coming up in February. Voted Best Dressed at Come in Your Socs, the CU are more commonly found in the smoking area every Friday night, armed with doughnuts, water and a friendly face to help you when the SU gets a little bit much, or you just fancy a chat. Meeting every Thursday at 7:30 in MX034, everyone is welcome, whether you are a Christian, of a different faith or have no faith at all – and there are always plenty of free snacks! The CU’s purpose is to reach out to the university community and provide an opportunity for everyone on campus to hear about Christianity and the gospel and ask que...