Friday, February 7Royal Holloway's offical student publication, est. 1986

Tag: Performing Arts

Spring Term Preview
Sports & Socs

Spring Term Preview

Whilst 2017 was an exciting year for RHUL’s sports clubs and societies, 2018 could prove to be even more thrilling. As the spring term usually ends with elections and final events, the next three months will be the busiest time for many clubs. Also, the new year brings new opportunities, as students start trying out new sports. The ‘Give It a Go’ sessions took place at the start of term, ranging from swimming sessions to feminist society meetings. Also taking place in January was the 11th annual Alumni Sports Day, which involved ex-students coming back to compete against current students in a huge variety of sports. As well as the massive range of GIAG sessions at the start of term, many taster sessions will be taking place throughout February and March. For example, Chess are hosting t...
Les Miserables…Today!
Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Les Miserables…Today!

Les Miserables...Today!   (‘…Ι give you back to god!’)   It’s unbelievable how one book can change your life with the magical quality that only literature has. Especially when that book is also a well-known musical! Les Miserables, from the great novelist Victor Hugo, was first published in 1862, and was followed by many re-publications and big screen adaptations. In 1980, it was first presented as a musical, with the music composed by Claude-Michel Schonberg, with French and English lyrics-libretto written by Alain Boublin, Jean Marc Natel and Herbert Kretzmer respectively. Since then, this musical phenomenon was presented to over 75 million people in 42 different countries worldwide, a truly special honor for the book, which is an achievement in modern literature...
Stage School Trouble
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...
Savoy Opera Society Celebrates 50 Years
Sports & Socs

Savoy Opera Society Celebrates 50 Years

It's been an exciting year for the Savoy Opera Society who are celebrating their 50th birthday and have now taken on the title of the oldest society on campus. I sat down with members, Katie Dale and Will Davidson to find out just what it is about the society that has made it so popular all these years. Katie: Opera can be a scary word, but we're more than just that. Will: We're a really friendly and open community, a family. Our society is made up of people studying a range of degrees; we even had a member of staff perform in Pirates of Penzance. They describe the past struggles the society faced in securing its future, and give credit to an influx of first year members in making a massive impact on the success it has seen this year. Will: We've taken big leaps and strides this ...
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...