frontpage – Page 12 of 20

28Nov

By Becca BashfordNo Comments

Opinion

Free Speech?

‘Millennials’, ‘snowflakes’, ‘triggered’, ‘lefties’, ‘vegan hippies’; without a doubt, there is a fiery debate taking place about Generation Z and our ability to debate without getting offended. Usually, these criticisms come from the older generation - those who cry: “I miss the good old days when no-one complained about Yorkies not being for girls, and now Greggs are changing their name to be more gender neutral! The world has gone mad!”. We all know that person. They’re the kind of people who read the Daily Mail, love Piers Morgan, or think Tommy Robinson is a top bloke. However, beneath the surface of this Gen Z vs. Baby Boomer war, there is something darker. Underneath all of the insults is the idea that people are somehow entitled to offend others. Why? Because we’re all entitled to ...

25Nov

By Samantha DavisNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

You’d Be Wilde To Miss It

With a pre-existing collection of beautiful and comedic Wildian plays to choose from, I can’t deny I was surprised to hear that these options had been axed for the adaptation of the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. However, upon leaving the performance I can without a doubt understand the decisions that compelled this magnificent choice. The Picture of Dorian Gray stands alone as Oscar Wilde’s only novel and tells the tale of the conflicting relationship between morality and pleasure which aids to the corruption of the the once beautiful soul of Dorian Gray. It is clear that the production team had this complicated motif in mind and executed it fantastically. Upon entering the hall, Basil Hallwood (Sean Simmons-Barry) is rotating between admiring his artwork and dabbing at the canvas w...

24Nov

By Catherine LithgowNo Comments

Science & Technology

Marijuana as Medicine

Marijuana Prescribed Marijuana has been illegal in the UK since 1928 but, as of the 1st November 2018, the National Health Service is permitted to prescribe medicinal cannabis to certain patients for the treatment of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic pain, and the nausea brought on by chemotherapy. This long-time disreputable substance is making a new name for itself through helping sufferers of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and cancer. The recently publicised cases of two children suffering with epilepsy, Alfie Dingley (6) and Billy Caldwell (13) appear to have been the catalyst that finally prompted the legalisation of medical cannabis in the UK. Both boys suffer from life-threatening epileptic seizures, treatable only with cannabis-based medication. On June 11th this year,...

Why are the women of Brazil so divided on Bolsonaro?

23Nov

By Jasmine CoxNo Comments

Opinion

Why are the women of Brazil so divided on Bolsonaro?

Jair Bolsonaro, nicknamed ‘Trump of the Tropics’, was newly elected as President of Brazil on the 28 October, with 55.1% of voters in support of the far-right politician, eclipsing his rival Fernando Haddad. Bolsonaro, a man of high military profile, has pitched himself as the iron fisted hero who will bring down the soaring crime rates across Brazil. Supporters voted for Bolsonaro on the basis of his pro-gun and nationalist ideals, his defense being the right to self-defense and protection of the much-treasured ‘family’ home. However, when taking a closer look at his aggressive agenda, Bolsonaro is creating more of a heightened sense of tension than ever, especially seen through how he is exploiting women’s fears of crime. Bolsonaro’s popularity amongst women started to grow after the ...

22Nov

By Amaan RamzanNo Comments

Opinion

Trapped Youth

At this moment, our youth is more ideologically and socially tangled then it has ever been before. The glamourisation of drugs and gang activity in the mainstream is slowly ruining our mentalities. Instead of thinking for the long-term, we are obsessed with grabbing short-term gains, such as conditional acceptance and temporary self-fulfilment. We are not stowing money away to pay for a mortgage or worthy future investment because systemic class and racial oppression has made it impossible for us to do so. Unfortunately, the enormous property price rise in London and surrounding areas doesn’t enable many people our age to buy their own houses, but there’s still a lack of knowledge on how to finance ourselves sensibly as well as a lack of opportunity for us to get into a better position ove...

Mind the Gap: Good Enough to Make Even a Londoner Smile

19Nov

By George WhiteNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Mind the Gap: Good Enough to Make Even a Londoner Smile

It's easy for an abstract drama production, while aiming for a profound, almost philosophical execution, to slip unwittingly into turgid verses of stilted disarray. Entering the Student Workshop’s latest production, Mind the Gap, whose social commentary, I had heard, bubbled at the surface of the show, I was convinced it would follow the same conceited creed. While watching the opening scene, I chuckled sombrely to myself, having found another esoteric piece to lambaste relentlessly. However, come the dropping of the figurative curtains, I had come to the resolute conclusion that my initial interpretation was entirely and profoundly incorrect. Anton Ego had his taste of ratatouille. The cast radiate a comforting exuberance throughout the show, allowing it to narrowly avoid the classic t...

NUS cuts threaten liberation and democracy campaigns

19Nov

By Becca BashfordNo Comments

News

NUS cuts threaten liberation and democracy campaigns

A source at NUS (National Union of Students) has revealed that due to a crippling £3million debt, cuts may be made to vital liberation and democracy campaign budgets. The National Union of Students is a ‘voluntary membership organisation of 600 students' unions, amounting to more than 95 per cent of all higher and further education unions in the UK’. Their aim is to support and defend students rights through a unified and collective voice which seeks to promote equality, democracy and fair opportunities to students across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. NUS Liberation campaigns ‘support and fights for the rights of POC, Disabled, LGBT+, Trans and Women students’. The campaigns range from ‘Stop and Scrap Universal Credit’, responding to the Gender Recognition Act, and cal...

Full Disclosure: The Addams Family Musical

18Nov

By Emma HalahanNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Full Disclosure: The Addams Family Musical

After wowing us with campus hit Love Island: The Musical, Director Harriet Williams, Musical Director Daniel Looseley and Choreographer Bryony O’Hare take on the musical adaption of cult film and TV series, The Addams Family. With a puff of dry ice and a scarily sombre prologue, the SU main hall ‘moves towards the darkness’ into the disastrous Addams Family mansion – and full disclosure, you are greeted immediately by some stand out performances. Newcomer Emily Quillin makes a delightfully macabre Morticia Addams with both a stellar acting and singing performance that draws every laugh, gasp and blush. From motherly mentor to seductress señorita, Quillin carries that signature Morticia mannerism with her throughout the show, providing an energy unmatched – a testament to Harriet William...

BBC Music Introducing Live: Making it in Today’s Industry

7Nov

By Maria GreenNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Music

BBC Music Introducing Live: Making it in Today’s Industry

BBC Music Introducing Live invites aspiring artists, producers and music managers to their three-day event where attendees will learn everything about how to get into the ever-changing music industry. Held at London’s Tobacco Dock on 8-10 November 2018, BBC Music Introducing Live features talks, panels, performances, masterclasses and more, to inspire 15,000 future music industry leaders. BBC Introducing are giving young creatives the opportunity to meet the biggest names in the industry, including brands, record labels, streaming services, artists, BBC DJs and producers. As well as live performances with Ben Howard, Deadmau5, Duke Dumont, Tom Grennan and more, the event includes a UK music careers fair, bars, markets, and surprise performances. BBC Music Introducing Live is th...

We Are BME: A Thank You to Renee Landell

2Nov

By Amaan RamzanNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

We Are BME: A Thank You to Renee Landell

Important issues require special attention. The continuing struggle that Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) individuals undergo in society and the workplace is staggering. Our government is finally starting to realise that this is a severe problem, with a report on gov.uk stating that "people from BME backgrounds are less likely to progress in the workplace than white counterparts". However, efforts have been made to improve opportunities for individuals from black or minority backgrounds in society and the workplace. At a university level, students, staff and governors must take more responsibility for inspiring change in teaching and learning to support the advancement of coloured students. Thankfully, one postgraduate student is making an intensive effort to bring this current issue to li...