Roar! by KCLSU Student Media

ROAR!

4th February - 26th February 2013

“CHANGE IS GOING TO HAPPEN” - KCLSU President Thomas Clayton Page 5

4th February - 26th February 2013

READ ROAR! IN THE LIBRARY! ROAR! www.roarnews.co.uk LAURA FRATER EDITOR editor@roarnews.co.uk BEN JACKSON DEPUTY/NEWS EDITOR news@roarnews.co.uk NIDA ALI LONDON NEWS EDITOR news@roarnews.co.uk LIAM JACKSON SPORTS EDITOR sports@roarnews.co.uk OLIVIA SELLEY COMMENT EDITOR comment@roarnews.co.uk ANTHONY SHAW FEATURES EDITOR features@roarnews.co.uk MAX EDWARDS ARTS EDITOR arts@roarnews.co.uk

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KATIE SINCLAIR FILM EDITOR film@roarnews.co.uk WILL DAVENPORT HANNAH EWENS MUSIC EDITORS music@roarnews.co.uk EVA CHAIDEFTOS FASHION & LIFESTYLE EDITOR fashion@roarnews.co.uk MARY DAVIES CAREERS EDITOR marydavies_@hotmail.com CATHERINE KING STUDENT GROUPS EDITOR students@roarnews.co.uk MATT LEVER ONLINE EDITOR mattlever@gmail.com CHARLOTTE RICHARDSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF vpsme@kclsu.org

WHAT’S HOT Founder of @EverydaySexism Laura Bates coming to see KCL Feminist Society (February 5th) Sam Spencer and the novel he’s currently working on. You heard it here first. KCLSU student media facebook page. Like us!

Longer hours: The Maughan Library on Chancery Lane. Credit: Ayed Tadros

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR “Change is going to happen”: those were the words of your President, ladies and gentlemen - and what wise words they were. Once again, it’s been a week of great change at King’s, as plans for longer opening hours at King’s libraries have finally begun, after 1,500 students signed a University petition. Students can now look forward to the prospect of better facilities and less stress come exam time, in the knowledge that our libraries will be open to us whenever we may need them.

Drinking tea in the Roar! office . We stole sugar from the Terrace.

In light of all this library madness, it seems only appropriate therefore to mention that Roar! is about to change as well, as I have decided that it is time to bid farewell and find a new challenge.

“too drunk” to lay out his section. What more could I have asked for?

Happy reading everyone.

To all the editors and writers - you have been fantastic. You’ve been incredibly hardworking, ridiculously fun and most of all, honest. From Ben’s 4am editing sessions to Anthony’s ‘proofread’ dance, to Liam’s admirable declaration that he was

“I don’t think, I just walk.” Paris Hilton

The great news about library hours, thanks to a campaign from our student officers.

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Jazz.

Socrates

Scottish style chicken and leek flavour cuppa soup.

WHAT’S NOT Being horrendously hungover after Ronnie Scott’s. London being the most expensive city in the world. Max’s body making strange noises. When good things end; when valuable people leave. Being angry at people all the time. Feeling dislocated and lacking a certain panache. (Not really actually, we just liked the phrase.)

If you have a complaint about the editorial content in this newspaper which directly affects you, then email the editor-in-chief with your complaint: vpsme@kclsu.org

HOME TWEET HOME Too lazy to check your Twitter account? Here are some of our favourite tweets from the last few weeks. @Jackson12th February’s @roar_ news front page is something very special... @ChrisRogers92 Read the headline & thought ‘O my God what is happening across the road’, kind of a let down #BloodyTabloids @are_eb Second fire drill this week at the Strand @Kingscollegelon -this isn’t funny anymore cc @roar_news

@georgeclews @roar_news Excited to see article about London Underground club scene. Disappointed by the content. Painful to read.

student journalism days. Wish I could still dedicate that much time to coming up with crap puns.

@ameliargh @roar_news do you know anything about what Kings have done to piss off JSTOR? Why can’t humanities students access it? @LyndaChristinaR hm that guy writing about the redundancy of Twitter in the new @roar_news issue clearly does not use it and thus has no idea. @tomcrookston Reading @roar_news got me all nostalgic for

Roar! would like to extend its gratitude to Matt Capon for all his help, and credits him with the design of this issue’s excellent front cover picture.

Opportunity. It’s staring you in the face.

Undergraduate and Graduate Opportunities It’s February already, so there’s no time to lose. Apply now to make the most of your opportunities with PwC in 2013. Text ‘PwC Kings’ to 60300* for a chance to win an iPad mini and get details of the events we’ll be attending at King’s College London this month.

4th February - 26th February 2013

NEWS Ben Jackson News Editor news@roarnews.co.uk

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KCLSU SAFE SPACE POLICY TRUMPS YOUR ZULU WORRYING Alicia Hooper

MOST Wednesdays the sound of both sports teams and groups of Kings Students alike can be heard from the Strand Campus’ Waterfront bar, chanting the Zulu Warrior song. To many this is simply a harmless drinking game between friends in which you must down a pint while your fellow drinkers shout ‘Get it down you Zulu warrior, get it down you Zulu chief’, but to some this has become something in which they feel uncomfortable with hearing. Certain people are beginning to take offense to this chant. With this becoming an issue that some mem-

bers of the council felt should be discussed, the motion of banning the Zulu Warrior chant was debated at the last Student Council meeting on Thursday, January 17th.

The subject was certainly a provocative one to discuss; many had different opinions about the subject of the song and whether it could be interpreted as being offensive due to its assumed background in the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879. Theo Williams (Arts and Humanities School Representative) described how he had been told numerous times by certain individuals, that they felt uncomfortable with the content of the song and how they wished they did not have to hear it at King’s bars.

While Williams understood that the intentions of the students was not to offend by chanting this song, he commented that, “There doesn’t have to be intent behind something for it to be offensive’. Other members of the council then suggested that the song should be banned, as King’s should strive to make people feel more comfortable, which voting in favour of the ban would achieve.

However, groups such as the KCL rugby team voiced their opposition to the motion passing, due to their tradition of using the chant. They then issued a statement in which they faulted certain council members for having made ‘dangerous as-

sumptions’ about the background of the song, without having evidence to support the allegations. The team also stated that they pride themselves in the diversity of its members and that they would never create a song which deliberately alienated people. Some members at the meeting also argued that the motion should never have been brought to the council. Several Council members then argued that an issue such as this should have been brought up under the newly created ‘Safe Space Policy’.

Vice President Student Activities and Facilities Kiki Johnson commented on how future similar matters should be covered under the new policy, saying “if it is a serious problem,

the safe space policy will correct it”. This was then agreed by many in the council, with a large majority of members against the motion. The banning of the Zulu warrior chant subsequently failed, with nineteen members voting against, six in favour, and three abstaining. With the new safe space policy, anyone with complaints about things that they feel are hurtful or offensive can now suggest that it be banned from KCLSU premises. With some people still angered by the Zulu Warrior chant being saved by the Council, they still have a right to complain and use the safe space policy to voice their opinions.

Going up: KCL Rugby boys and their controversial chant. Inset: Entrance to the Waterfront bar.

CULTURAL CHALLENGE ANNOUNCED FOR KING’S STUDENTS Laura Frater KING’S has announced that its students will now have the opportunity to win a paid interniship with some of the most renowned cultural organisations in the country along with cash prizes. The ‘King’s Cultural Challenge’, officially announced on 17th January, is a collaboration between King’s Cultural Institiute and Southbank Cen-

tre, the V&A, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Opera House, which will hire successful applicants to create ‘responses’ to major challenges they face. These challenges include digitilisation and how to widen their appeal to younger audiences. Speaking exclusively to Roar! Executive Director of the King’s Cultural Institute Deborah Bull said that applicants are required to “submit a proposal of no more than two sides of

A4 (approx. 1,000 words) in response to their chosen Challenge Question” which applies to one of the four organisations. In writing the proposals, Bull also revealed that there would be workshops available at King’s Strand Campus to help applicants improve their proposals. Bull said, “The two workshops will offer entrants valuable advice and training which will hopefully enhance their proposals.” Bull stated that students interested in registering for these workshops as part of

the application process, should email kingsculturalchallenge@kcl.ac.uk in order to register for the workshops. Successful applicants will intern for “approximately 3-4 months full time” with the structure of the internship depending upon the organisation. Bull said that “every attempt will be made to make [the job] relevant to the applicant’s area of interest, and to the specific project they have proposed as part

of the Challenge”. Working hours will be finalised nearer the time. The Challenge competition will run until 12th April. If you would like to read the full interview with Executive Director of the King’s Cultural Institute Deborah Bull and find out more about the King’s Cultural challenge, please visit our website at www.roarnews.co.uk

4th February - 26th February 2013

NEWS

@Jackson12th

KING’S ON THE VERGE OF LIBRARY REVOLUTION

Ben Jackson

PLANS are afoot to revolutionise library opening hours at King’s College London. Representatives from KCLSU, including President Thomas Clayton, are currently in talks with College bosses to extend services at the Strand, Waterloo and Guy’s libraries. This comes as universities across the country are tightening their purses in response to higher education cuts, including library provisions. However, in his research on services nationwide, Clayton found that King’s opening hours were well behind its competitors.

A petition was set up by the union and gained 300 signatures in its first couple of days, eventually reaching a staggering 1,500 names.

Clayton said: “We were astonished with the response that the campaign got, it seems that the student body was close to unilateral in its desire for extended opening hours, and societies and individuals took it upon themselves to spread the petition.” Student feedback presented a much more complex picture of current needs than initially expected. This resulted in a nuanced presentation of views and data, which the Prin-

cipal has received with interest.

“We found that students particularly wanted longer hours on the weekends and during holidays. We also found that there was genuine dismay that there was no 24/7 opening during the January exam period. Similarly, New Hunts House reverted to its restricted summer holiday opening hours in the first week of June, despite the fact that the majority of Medicine and Dentistry students have exams well into July. We also found that many students couldn’t work during the day,

whether that was because of lectures, part time work, the need to care for children, or even simply because they work best at night.”

Clayton and his cohorts are now working with the College to implement changes beneficial to all students. The negotiations are being treated with a sense of urgency and the new policy will be put into practice as soon as possible. “Thank you to everyone who contributed to the campaign, especially to all the officers who spent many late nights working on the petition and the report. And of course

London news

THE highly anticipated addition to the London skyline opens its panoramic views to the public on February 1st 2013. Standing tall at 310 metres, next to London Bridge station and KCL’s very own Guy’s campus, the Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe. With tickets already sold out for the first two days, the Shard is sure to become “a definitive London experience”. However the public entrance has been cited as slightly anticlimactic, tucked away in a tunnel beneath London Bridge station. Once inside, elevators whisk visitors straight to the 68th floor. Within this 20-second journey, visitors travel past 3 levels of restaurants, the 5-star Shangri-La hotel, with its 52nd floor swimming pool as well as private apartments allegedly priced between 30 and 50 million pounds. Coming back to components more within the average student’s budget, the 68th floor opens into a cloudscape. The view really comes to life on the 69th floor, through a 360-de-

gree panoramic view, spanning 40 miles; it is said to be London as you have never seen it before. Twelve digital “tell:scopes” are also provided around the gallery, allowing visitors to zoom into particular sights and gain extra information on over 250 landmarks. The upmost viewing platform is the open-top observational deck on the 72nd floor. As one Guardian reporter described; “from 244 metres up, the towers of the City look like dinky chess pieces, the looping spaghetti of railway lines like a toy train set, commuters scuttling like ants below on the platforms. You’re not part of the city here, but suspended above it – so detached, in fact, that any sense of vertigo fades away.” Being partially open, this viewing platform really allows visitors to hear and feel the London atmosphere. Interested? View From the Shard is open between 9am and 10pm daily. Tickets for a queue-free experience are £24.95 for adults (16+) and from £18.95 for children, while tickets for unbooked, immediate entry go for up to £100.

This news has been met with both relief and exasperation with the pace at which the College and the Union have operated. One student commented: “It’s about bloody time. I don’t understand why this hasn’t been done earlier.” When asked how the negotiations were going, Clayton responded positively, with an aphorism that will spark hope in any student wishing for longer library hours: “What’s clear is that change is going to happen.”

edited by Nida Ali

LONDON’S BEST VIEW OPENS TO THE PUBLIC Nida Ali

do use the extended hours when they do come, to show the College that it was worth the investment.”

ONE OF THE SAFEST CITIES ON THE PLANET?

Nida Ali

Safe to say - advance booking is strongly advised (possible via www.theviewfromtheshard. com or at 0844 499 7111). There has in fact been a lot of controversy regarding Shard visiting prices with some, including former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, condemning them as too high. Joanna Kirby, the publisher of the Rough Guide to London, said: “The Shard may have unparalleled views of London but most other London sites offering scenic views of the capital, such as the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral, are also steeped in history so could be considered better value for money”. Andy Nyberg, chief executive of View From the Shard, defended the prices: “If you go to similar places and pay for a queue-free ticket, it’s about the same price” adding “this is the only place in London where you can get a 360-degree view of the city”. Despite the high prices, those who received early access to the view certainly appear to have enjoyed the experience, with one journalist for The Financial Times commenting; “I could have stayed all day.”

LONDON was recently acclaimed as “one of the safest cities on the planet” by Detective Chief Superintendent Hamish Campbell, head of the Metropolitan Police homicide division, as homicide rates fell to a 42-year-low. Early in 2012, figures from the Metropolitan Police showed London crime rates to have halved over the previous decade, with 117 homicides in 2011, as opposed to 222 in 2003, though it was last year’s count of 99 homicides that was considered particularly progressive, being the lowest homicide rate since 1970. Detective Campbell remarked: “While one murder is one too many we hope people will see this downward trend as a positive sign of a city that is a safe place to visit, work and live.” However, does a reduction in successful homicide attempts truly symbolise a safer London? Unfortunately, this is only a fall in one particular type of crime. Though this decline largely being seen as a result of improvements in the abilities of emergency services, it increases the plausibility of a reduction in the success rates of other such attacks. Beyond quicker response rates, paramedics are now trained to perform blood transfusions and deal with injuries at the scene, including knife or bullet wounds, rather than having to first hospitalise the victim. Victims

can then be transported directly to major trauma centres, via air ambulance, for treatment by expert clinicians. The higher efficiency of this procedure has greatly boosted survival rates. Additionally, recent crime prevention initiatives that have contributed to the lower homicide rates are hoped to have a similar impact on crime in general. Detective Campbell expressed; “I think the way police patrol public space, [use] stop-and-search tactics and factors such as youth engagement strategies and education all combine to make a difference”. Moreover, these figures come 20 months after the appointment of Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe as Met Commissioner, who launched a strategy known as “total policing”; involving groups of officers being assigned to tackle set issues and wider use of technology such as number plate reading cameras. The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), which oversees the Met Police, has further issued three challenges to the capital’s force. By 2015 the Met needs to cut crime by 20% in seven priority areas and boost residents’ satisfaction by 20%, whilst cutting expenditure by 20%. In this way, it is hoped that malevolent activity in the capital will be reduced overall, making the idea of London as “one of the safest cities on the planet” more plausible and apparent.

4th February - 26th February 2013

COMMENT Olivia Selley Comment Editor comment@roarnews.co.uk

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VOTE NO ON REFERENDUMS

James Sharpe

DAVID CAMERON’S offer of an in/out referendum on the European Union after the next election is tantamount to constitutional vandalism. Referendums do not form part of the British constitution, and nor should they. The constitutional settlement in the United Kingdom is based on a system of deliberative parliamentary democracy; not on the direct democratic action of its subjects. Referendums are at best an example of our elected officials abrogating their responsibility; and at worst a blatant attempt at electioneering. It was Margaret Thatcher, soon after becoming leader of the Conservative Party in 1975, who said that referendums represent the movement away from consensus to the tyranny of the majority, and ultimately (quoting Clement Attlee) ‘a device of dictators and demagogues’. It is a pity David Cameron has found himself in such questionable company.

There is plenty of evidence around the world for the unsuitability of

referendums in a constitutional settlement. The clearest example is California where numerous socalled ‘Citizens’ Initiatives’ have been introduced. The dire economic straits in which California finds itself is a direct result of these Initiatives. The Californian legislature is now required by popular plebiscites to provide numerous public services and yet has been denied the ability to raise the money needed to pay for them through taxation. Herein lie the fundamental problems of referendums: they are simplistic and irreversible.

They are simplistic because they only allow for a yes/no answer. Most issues are far more complicated than this and can only be decided properly after lengthy debate, which is precisely why legislation is brought to Parliament to be debated. It is not possible to create consensus or to weigh up the relative value of various issues in a referendum. These are questions that are too complex and cannot be reduce to one-syllable. And referendums are irreversible in the sense that if it is discovered a mistake has been made, it is very difficult to reverse it. Sometimes policy has to change quickly to respond to events. In this case you would have to have a second referendum for a reversal to have legitimacy. Referendums are especially problematic in the British context as a result of our unwritten constitution and parliamentary sovereignty. It has been argued that referendums ought to be restricted only to constitutional matters, such as the UK’s relationship with the EU. The problem is in defining

a constitutional matter in the UK. It is obvious what a constitutional matter is in the United States because it is anything that requires an amendment to their constitutional document.

The UK does not have a codified constitution, so it is unclear which matters are constitutional. The British constitution has this complexity that makes referendums unsuitable unless we write a constitution. And this leads to a more general problem: what should be subject to a referendum? As soon as referendums start to be offered regularly (as seems to be becoming the case) where does it stop. It does not take long to find oneself with the Swiss system where referendums are offered on almost every issue. Parliamentary sovereignty is the defining principle of the British constitution, and it is thrown aside when a referendum is held. The principle is already under threat without it being undermined by its traditional supporters.

in this Parliament, but the next one. He is using (and abusing) the British constitution for entirely politicallyopportunistic reasons. What’s more, he can hide behind it. His own views and the views of individual MPs on the EU have suddenly become irrelevant because all that matters is what the electorate think about the EU.

Referendums are a tool of political cowardice. If David Cameron wants to run on pro-EU platform, he should run on it. Instead, he is now running on a platform of offering a referendum; when the referendum comes he may well campaign for a yes vote, but at this time he will not be running for election. When politicians are voted in, they are voted in order to represent their constituents in Parliament, and to be accountable for what they do there. Referendums prevent this vital part of our constitution

from working. In effect it rescinds accountability. Our representatives are not accountable if they can simply say ‘the people decided it in a referendum’. The responsibility of the people begins and ends with the casting of a vote in an election. Thereafter responsibility moves to those who are elected, and they should not be allowed to push it back. It is a truism that the people want everything for nothing. We have a parliamentary system to protect us from this truism; and then the people decide whether those in Parliament have done a good job doing it. Referendums are alien to this view and their increased use is a dangerous development in our constitution. We must not forget that the European Union has already wreaked enough destruction on our constitution without our then imposing it on ourselves too.

At the moment referendums are only advisory: if Parliament chose to, it could ignore the result of a referendum. But the very existence of a decision by referendum is such that it is possible it will not be too much longer before it is discovered that referendums have a binding effect that overrides parliamentary sovereignty. In one fell swoop, three centuries of accepted constitutional theory is thrown out the window. What is most worrying is how referendums are being used for electioneering purposes. Let us consider what David Cameron has offered. He will not give a referendum

HOLLYWOOD’S MENTAL ILLNESS

Celia Aniscovich

ON THURSDAY, January 10th, actors Seth MacFarlane and Emma Stone announced the nominations for the 85th annual Academy Awards. Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln garnered the most Oscar nominations with twelve, while Life of Pi secured eleven nominations, followed by Silver Linings Playbook with seven. This season produced an exceptionally worthy round of films and there is a lot of debate over who will win the much-anticipated Best Picture Award. While critics seem to have narrowed the field down to Argo and Lincoln, there is enormous popular support for Silver Linings Playbook. Silver Linings Playbook is a romantic comedy that chronicles the life of Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper). After eight months in a mental health facility (for a violent outburst that led to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder), Pat moves back in with his parents, attempts to make amends with his estranged wife, Nikki, and tries to get

his life back together. Pat attempts to achieve this new life through relentless positive thinking and constant searching for ‘silver linings’. Things change for Pat when he meets the equally unstable Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence). The pair build an odd, but mutually rewarding friendship, as they learn to manage their illnesses and create better lives for themselves. When I heard story after story from friends and family about this film, I was excited to see it myself. I was looking forward to applauding Hollywood for finally making an Oscar-worthy movie that deals with the reality of mental illness. Perhaps my excitement stemmed from the fact that my father is in the business of treating mental illness.

Or perhaps it was because I grew up in a small town in Connecticut not unlike the nearby town of Newtown that was recently struck by an unspeakable tragedy. Like many people, I also know someone who is disenfranchised because they live with mental illness. Whatever the

reason, the subject matter struck a chord. This film felt important. It felt like a story that needed telling, a story that people needed to hear.

Also, to be honest, I’d probably have seen the movie even if it involved clowns and vampires, just so I could stare at Bradley Cooper for two hours. I’ve watched The Notebook 387 times and still don’t know what the plot is – I think the single ladies get what I’m saying here. And, if this was just another chick flick with an inspirational message and some nice eye candy, I’d be okay with it. But that’s not what SLP advertises and it’s not what the movie delivers. It is a movie that treats mental illness seriously. When was the last time you saw a movie where the main characters are struggling with mental illness and the film treats them as normal human beings? Having a hard time coming up with any? Hint: The Addams Family doesn’t count. When Hollywood tackles a tough subject, it’s news. And, to be fair, the film doesn’t shy away from the

heavy stuff. The filmmakers peel away the shame associated with mental illness and treat this serious subject with warmth and humour. There’s little denial or glossing over in this frontal look at mental illness. The film paints an honest, if sometimes uncomfortable, picture and makes it clear that anyone can be affected by mental illness: your mother, your son, your neighbour, your best friend. Furthermore, the film stresses, the journey to recovery is not one that can be made alone. The 100 million Americans suffering with mental illness are not lost souls or lost causes and should not be treated as social outcasts. These messages are enough to make the film worth seeing.

But Silver Linings Playbook suffers from an illness of its own when it fails to deliver in the conclusion. The film ends by turning an otherwise earnest and honest examination of mental health into yet another clichéd Hollywood romance. This is not a film that needed a tidy ending where everything is easily

and happily resolved. It needed to feel honest. Instead, the conclusion ignores the struggles and problems that define the characters over the course of the film and forces a resolution that is completely at odds with the characters it presents. Hollywood is manically disassociated with real life. And that’s fine when what we sign up for is a two hour escape into a thriller, a comedy or an adventure. But when Hollywood deigns to shine a light on the world of mental illness, a world deeply hidden and misunderstood, it has a moral responsibility to do so honestly, even if it remains a form of entertainment. Life is messy. There are great lessons to be learned from messy. Messy can even be entertaining. But Hollywood’s obsessive-compulsive disorder with happy endings deprived us of an honest ending and I, for one, hope that the Academy does not reward this with an Oscar for Best Picture.

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4th February - 26th February 2013

FEATURES Anthony Shaw Features Editor features@roarnews.co.uk

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NO LOVE LOST ON STUDENT UNIONS

Sebastiaan Debrouwere

IN the run-up to Valentine’s Day, you’d be forgiven for thinking that love is simple, glamorous and enchanting - a commoditised ‘unity’ best consumed with Ferrero Rocher and a good bottle of Chenin Blanc. More than anything, true love is easy to find and is low-maintenance. Those poor sods like me who question the validity of this image portrayed by a seemingly endless series of Tube-advertisements for romantic getaways and classifieds for dating agencies are just cranky cynics. Relationships turned sour: beyond redemption? Yet, all around us we can see relationships that have run into a small bump on the way. In my view, the relationship between students and their unions is one such relationship. In a not too distant past, students’ unions were almost universally recognised for their vibrant activism and committed efforts to eradicate the most nefarious societal problems. Campaigns against discrimination based on creed, race, gender and sexual orientation garnered widespread support, and were crucial in making Britain a fairer society today. The firm belief of students’ unions in keeping education democratic and accessible lay at the heart of its opposition to the rise in student tuition fees in 2010. Yet, less than three years later, one cannot help but notice the widespread disengagement with the union. Polling numbers in union elections have been dwindling - of the ca. 120,000 members of ULU, only 1482, or 1.2%, voted. Perception of the students’ union leaders has also taken a serious hit. Yet the union has an important role to play at the nexus of student life. Its tens of societies are a hub of activities, in more domains than imaginable. Its sports-clubs give students the chance to practise their favourite sports competitively. Its venues bring affordable entertainment with likeminded souls, and have been the birthplace of countless friendships and projects that often last well beyond a student’s time

at university. The support of a union means that campaigns for social, political and environmental change can flourish. Students’ unions matter - now more than ever - and it’s time for their politicians to rekindle the love and re-engage the students that are at the very heart of their existence. Without proclaiming to be a relationship adviser, I would like to suggest two areas where they can start this arduous task of re-engaging students. Forget the ghosts of the past, and look at the future. Undoubtedly, the government’s policy to treble tuition fees and saddle future generations of graduates with debt of over £50,000 (that’s a lifetime of Wednesdays at Walkies) has scarred the student movement. Thousands have been disillusioned by the outcome of the vote, the ineffectiveness of their democratic protest, and being labeled as “violent rascals” by politicians and tabloids alike. At this juncture, many of us have become cynical and distrustful of established institutions - whether in Westminster or in the Macadam Building. We feel let down.

But, as the first generation “9k” has spent its first term in higher education, it is time for us to stop considering them as a source of latent anger. We need to be cognizant of the fact that they are not mere IOU-holders for the Student Loans Company, but (soon-to-be) 20-somethings with ambitions and dreams of their own. We need to shed our Vietnam-like trauma of 2010, and turn our gaze towards the road ahead. Government policy about higher education is set to be revised in 2015 or 2016, and we must keep campaigning to get our voices heard and to get our points across. This campaigning-effort has to be constructive: solutions must be sought jointly with other stakeholders in society, whom we must make our allies, not our enemies. We must make them understand what’s in it for them to align with our cause. We must be adamant but empathetic, idealistic but goalorientated. Widening participation and fairness are ultimately crucial. Work on quality-time in the relationship: become an ‘enabling union’. A second step in fixing any sour relationship is rediscovering the joys

and benefits that were the very reason for its existence. To engage new generations of students, students’ unions have to keenly listen to their wants and needs. In my opinion, this generation overwhelmingly wants fairness and meritocracy - an equal opportunity to grow, develop and shine. And it wants a student experience that empowers them as individuals. At King’s, our union has already tried to deliver on this to an extent by stepping up its pressure on the College to widen participation. This work must be continued; bursary schemes must be maximised and more information about financial support must be made available prior to application. We must also continue to facilitate meaningful part-time employment opportunities for students within the union and elsewhere. Existing students must not be forgotten in this equation either. Student activity groups, sports clubs, student campaign groups and student media are the prime source of how the union engages and enables students. The best thing about them is that they work in symbiosis - both creating op-

portunities for those on their committees and for those participating. KCL Radio, founded only a few years ago, has grown to be both an outlet for the radio-savvies among us and students in need of a good musical soundtrack to their revision (or attempts thereto, in my case). If the union wants to ‘fix’ its relationship, it must ensure that financial grants, promotional outlets and co-operations with departments are easier to use, so that groups have to focus less on red tape and more on what matters. Furthermore, ‘old’ ideas about how an educational institution works must be shed in favour of a bold embrace of new ones. The recent campaign for longer library hours is a good example of this; as students, we not only told the College where we disagreed, but also how we saw things going forward - and I firmly believe that this will at least yield some improvements on the current system, for example by introducing 24/7 regimes during January exams too, or to stop closing NHH Library before Medstudents have taken their last exam. In conclusion, those who proclaim students’ unions to be obsolete and its relationship with students a total loss are wrong. Like any relationship, the occasional bumpy patch comes along the road. But we can - and must - fix it, because students and their union are in many ways soulmates. While unions should not betray their historical origins nor the tenets that underpin them, they should strive to become more dynamic, more student orientated, and more responsive. Students and their welfare should be at the heart of anything the union does. With that being said, it’s Valentine’s Day, and Terrace is similar enough to the balcony in Verona where Romeo declared his love to Juliet: “KCLSU, I love you unconditionally. Let’s organise a screening of ‘Love Actually’ at Tutu’s, bring on those Ferrero Rochers and the Chenin!”

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NEW CAST OF MADE IN KING’S Alvy Singer

IF I asked you to picture the typical King’s student, what would you imagine? For me, I see upper-middle class. Either an Oxbridge or UCL reject. Probably own a blazer or two. Probably a slightly over-inflated opinion of themselves. And speaking as a suit-jacket-wearing, egotistical ‘double whammy’ reject, I know what I’m talking about – it takes one to know one – and I can see that there really is a lot that is deeply ridiculous about them/us. So when I first heard about ‘Made in King’s’, a spoof of the ‘Hey, look, aren’t posh people funny?’ ‘classic’ Made In Chelsea, I was quite excited, for this seemed like a brilliant idea. What better place to satirise this TV glorifying of anyone with a

double-barrelled surname and enough money to make the cost of the Shard seem like a sandcastle than KCL – a university, after all, that this newspaper revealed had a secret elite society, and is full of people with names straight out of PG Wodehouse. I was soon to be disappointed with this program. By now you may have seen the trailer, which is harmless enough in itself. However, this is more of a testament to the trailer editors, who managed to make something half-decent out of what is so large a car crash that not even a JG Ballard hero could enjoy it. The original program sort of works because the actors (characters? People?) have some level of awareness that they are playing heightened versions of themselves. This level of selfawareness is completely absent from Made in King’s. Scenes that would

probably work if the case just played themselves come to a screeching halt as the ‘actors’ attempt to play outdated stereotypes of posh completely removed from the reality of their own dare I say it posh existences, that they neither have the acting talent nor the charisma to pull off (and before a Twitter clusterfuck comes from me calling the entire cast posh, I am aware that I am generalising about the cast here, but even a cursory glance of the schools many of the lead cast went to goes a long way to illustrate my point.) It takes a deeply talented actor, not to mention one hyper-aware of their typecasting to play stereotype or themselves. Woody Allen could do it. Bill Murray can do it. The lead actors of Made In King’s (who also seem to be the people who took over the initial project and their friends in a moment of telling vanity…) cannot.

So this is my open plea to the new cast of Made in King’s, auditioned last week following the studying abroad of many of the show’s main culprits. Look at your own life. Look at those around you, and rent a copy of Annie Hall, because what you’re currently working on, with

the right writing and acting could be a fascinating satirical account of King’s life, rather than a love letter to self-indulgent self-ignorance. Oh, and use your real names in the show; without them you’re almost totally missing the point.’

4th February - 26th February 26th 2013

FEATURES

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WHEN I’M THINKING WINDOWS

Max Edwards

WITH LIMITED space on the Strand “Hall of Fame” (the windows showing famous KCL alumni), Roar! suggests some alternatives to the current so called ‘King’s Greats!’

STUDENTS AND GUNS

James Thorpe

THIS ISSUE, our features columnist on exchange at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill discusses the gun culture of America. It was a warm Saturday and I had just finished watching the basketball. In Texas, several states West, three people were about to be shot outside of the university library. The U.S. media quickly picked up on the story. Like the Americans in the café I was sitting in at the time, they expected another shooting to unfold before them. As it turned out, the shooting was sparked by ‘idiocy and stupidity’, as Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia told ABC – the gunman had bumped into another student and the argument ended with three wounded. But people were afraid. Since 2000, there have been over sixty shootings at U.S schools and universities; from Florida to California,

to Harvard. You might have heard about the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007 where 33 people died but you probably didn’t hear about the five students who were shot whilst they were eating their breakfast at a High School in Ohio last February. The gunman was a student and he admitted that he chose his victims at random.

include his name, but he was quick to defend the gun culture in the U.S. “I grew up in this culture and this is a normal part of our lives,” he said. The college students I spoke to seem to think that the situation is regrettable but avoidable. My friend from Chicago added that he had fired guns before with his roommate at UNC.

The motives for the shootings on campuses here vary but it is too simplistic to say that they happen because the lonely kid who was bullied watched too many violent movies. In the university environment, where you can miss home and hate the students who you think are more popular than you, having a gun is an easy way out. In a confused mind, a motive can be found easily; once you have the means and the opportunity, you can shoot other students. It might be at a party in California, or in a lecture hall in Illinois.

Although it would be unreasonable to suggest that students are constantly fearful of shootings on campus, it is very difficult to imagine what it would be like for a shooting to happen at a British university. What would you do if your friend at LSE told you that a group of students from his year had been shot at a lecture? It is worrying that guns and campuses all too frequently meet over here in America. Sadly, it probably won’t be long until I hear about another shooting.

I spoke to a student from Chicago, Illinois about guns. As a member of the military he was reluctant to let me

Read more from James on his brilliant blog: amanshouldtravel.wordpress.com

John Deacon Who is he?: Bassist for one of the world’s most successful bands, Queen. Why he should be included?: 18 number one albums. 18 number one singles. 10 number one DVDs. Somewhere between 150 million and 300 million albums sold. Need I say more? Derek Jarman Who is he?: Gay rights activist, film director, artist. One of the biggest names to die in the AIDs pandemic in the early 90s. Why he should be included?: A notable artist and director, Jarman was controversially removed for Ryan Wain last year. Would be a step in the right direction in terms of LGBT acceptance for King’s, following their poor stance on the Lord Carey issue. Can’t we get rid of Carey and twist the knife by replacing him with Jarman? Muhammad Abdul Bari Who is he?: Current chairman of the East London Mosque, and former Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Great Britain, from 20062011. Why he should be included?: A noted philanthropist and supporter of integration, Bari’s session as Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Great Britain coincided with his dealing with rising Islamaphobia with aplomb. Shaw Clifton Who is he?: 19th general (International leader) of the Salvation Army, form 2006-2011. Why he should be included?: Love them or loathe them (they are certainly bloody annoying with their Christmas bell ringing in America), no one can deny the Salvation Army’s charitable spirit. In the USA alone, more than $175m has been given to 1.7m people since 2006

Christopher Isherwood Who is he?: British Novelist from the 30s through to the 80s. Produced masterpieces such as the Berlin Stories and A Single Man. Why he should be included?: Influenced writers such as W. H. Auden and Truman Capote. Further, masterpieces such as those above will continue to live long in the memory of all who read them. Why do we have ex-porno writer Kureishi and not the fantastic Isherwood?? Boris Karloff Who is he?: Prominent actor from the 30s until his death. Most famous for Frankenstein. Why he should be included?: Imagine Frankenstein’s monster. An off green, is he? Patched together? Bolt through the neck? All Karloff, not the original. Someone with that much influence on popular culture can’t help but be included. Patrick Christopher Steptoe Who is he?: Obstetrician and gynaecologist, Steptoe pioneered the science of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Why he should be incuded?: Responsible for 5 million babies being born since 1978, which is fairly impressive. In 2010, his scientific partner Robert Edwards received the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine, which Steptoe could not receive as it is not awarded posthumously. W. Somerset Maugham Who is he?: Popularist author of the early 20th century, reported to be the highest earning author of the 1930s. Why he should be included?: Poineered the author-as-career move with a string of successful novels and movie scripts. Instituted the Somerset Maugham award, for best writer under 35, in 1947 (previous winners include Martin Amis and V.S. Naipaul). Thomas Armitage Who is he?: The founder of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). Why he should be included?: Forced to abandon a promising medical career due to deteriorating vision and eventual blindness, Armitage campaigned tirelessly for the rights, recognition and support of the blind, as well as being instrumental in the worldwide adaptation of Braille as standard embossed writing for the blind.

4th February - 26th February 2013

ARTS Max Edwards Arts Editor arts@roarnews.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICKS

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THE EFFECT OF EXTERNALITY

James Sharpe Privates on Parade, @ the Noel Coward Theatre. Until March 2nd, 2013, tickets from £10. Simon Russell Beale is effervescent in this play-with-songs. Expect double entendre and campery with serious politics behind (ooh-er)

Treasures Gallery @ the Natural History Museum. Permanent Exhibition in the Cadogan Hall, free. 22 things that are the ‘treasures’ of the Natural History Museum, each fascinating in and of itself, together definitely worth a trip.

Ansel Adams: Photography from the Mountains to the Sea, @ the National Maritime Museum. Until April 28th 2013 , concessions £6 Adams’ sublime American landscapes are a must see for any photography fan. The undisputed master of black-and-white film. Stunning stuff.

LUCY PREBBLE struck a chord in 2009 with ENRON, the play that exposed a prescient example of corporate greed and incompetence in the wake of the financial crisis. In her first major play since then, Prebble now turns her eye to the pharmaceutical industry and its questionable ethos in the fight to get customers. It is certainly not as timely as ENRON – but then again when would it be ‘timely’? - and so we approach Prebble’s work this time without the preconceived indignation with which ENRON was received. It makes the audience harder to win round to a particular perspective on the relationship between human beings, their ailments (which can include overwhelming emotions like love), and the industry that supplies the drugs while at the same time creating the maladies for which these drugs are the cure. In Enron, Prebble introduced a modicum of complexity by stressing the wonders and benefits of the capitalist system in providing one and all with a standard of living unimaginable only a few decades (even years) ago. Nevertheless, the thrust of her piece was how the so-called Masters of the Universe could stomp all over the little people to realise their own success. To use the economic parlance: all prosperity is simply a benign externality. In The Effect similar themes emerge. As Toby, a senior manager at the

pharmaceutical company Raushen, puts it, the externality of his activity (selling drugs) is people get better. Indeed they do, but as Lorna, the doctor in charge of the drugs trial at the heart of the play, replies, this is only if they are sick in the first place. Just as capitalism thrives on selling us things we otherwise would not want, pharmaceuticals wants s to be cured of ailments we do not necessarily have. Or so Prebble suggests anyway. Her thesis is convincing, and her argument is presented in two ways by two couples shown in parallel. First we have Tristan (Jonjo O’Neill) and Connie (Billie Piper), the drug trial guinea pigs who fall in love. But is it because of the drugs? Her answer is, it doesn’t matter. So many factors contribute to our falling in love one

NATIONAL TREASURES

The Shard Observation Deck @ the Shard London Bridge, Permanent feature, tickets from £24.95 Not technically art, but release your inner muse with the amazing view from Europe’s tallest building. Poetry, photos, painting, you choose.

The Effect, al Theatre. ruary 2013,

@ the NationUntil 23rd Febtickets from £12

A stimulating and assured new play which explores the pharmaceutical industry’s desire to cure us of all and sundry, but asks whether we’re even sick in the first place. Got an opinion? Can’t be arsed to write it up? Tweet a review to @onechaptermore or @roar_news

Harry Block THERE is one problem with being surrounded by so much art as we are here in London; there can never be enough time to see everything. And if you don’t even have a chance to visit all of the must-see art exhibitions, what time is there for places only tangentially related to the visual arts? Spaces such as the Wellcome Collection, the Soane Museum and the Museum of London often have fascinating displays of works far more likely to be seen by bored schoolkids than your average art obsessive – something of a shame, as I found out when I visited school-trip Mecca, the Natural History Museum. Over the last two years, curators at the NHM have looked through 70 million of their artefacts in order to

choose 22 for their ‘Treasures’ gallery, a display of the most momentously important, inspirational and beautiful objects in their collection, and they’ve really done a fantastic job. Of the visual arts pieces, particular highlights are a copy of the ‘Birds of America’ (the world’s most expensive book) and glass pieces by Czech lampworkers Leopold and Rudolph Blaschka, which are quite simply some of the most incredibly detailed and stunning sculptures on display anywhere in London. The whole gallery, in fact is a wonderful advertisement in widening your horizons as to what art is, and should not be missed, even if it does mean barging your way through large groups of packed lunch eating year 3s from the Midlands…

way or the other – and our body’s natural drugs are no small contribution – that an artificial drug is just as qualitatively valid. It makes no difference to the reality of the love that one feels. The second story is Lorna (Anastasia Hille) and Toby (Tom Goodman-Hill), the doctors employed by Raushen and former husband wife. Lorna suffers from depression and refuses to medicate. Her argument is that she is not abnormal for being depressed; depression is fundamental to who she is and how she conceives the world. Her without depression would be a different ‘her’. She would not necessarily be qualitatively different, but she would be different. It’s a powerful idea implying that medication (of mental disorders like depression at least) can be a suppression of self just as much a relief from pain.

This review has not been overly concerned with the production itself. It has got some rave reviews which I’m not entirely sure are justified. For example, an airport lounge for a set is hardly a work of genius. But it is a play that offers a moral questions and attempts to posit an answer. They are questions that many in the audience are sure to have pondered before.

Hannah Elsy

transposed into the mouths of different actors. This method, according to Lynch, is the best way of generating words that have true emotional authenticity, without any pressure on the actor to re-live their individual experiences or bare their soul on stage.

Like all good ideas though, they become more immediate and engaging when removed from pure thought and turned which engages our emotions. Entertainment is art without insight or challenge; The Effect is definitely not just entertainment, and a couple of hours spent with it will be repaid in the thought it inspires afterwards whether in agreement or not. I can think of no better recommendation than this.

THE LIFE OF ‘MORTAL: A DRAMA’

DEATH lurks near the jostling mass of Euston station. The Wellcome Collection’s exhibition ‘Death: A Self- Portrait’ leaves no (grave)stone unturned in exploring the visual representation of Death through the ages. A company of young actors, myself included, are using this morbid ephemera as inspiration for devising a piece of theatre that brings this exhibition ‘to life’. ‘Mortal: A Drama’ explores the devastating, gruesome and sometimes humorous aspects of death. Our fascination with death has always had a theatrical quality to it: from the spectator sport of medieval witch-burnings to the final speeches of Shakespearian tragedies to the cult following behind ‘Bunny Suicides’ today. The entire play has been devised entirely within the company: from discussions about personal experiences and our ‘gut’ reactions to stimuli. Director Elizabeth Lynch comments on the challenge of broaching such a sensitive subject matter with a group of relative strangers, commenting that “people come to different things at different stages of their lives, [someone] may have been bereaved at an early age and therefore have a more profound understanding of death than a 35 year old”. Although this is not a verbatim piece, the text we are working with has been taken straight from words spoken by members of the company, or directly from the written comments of visitors to the exhibition, and has simply been

‘Mortal’ is certainly not a traditional, aesthetically-pleasing piece of theatre. It is jarring and surreal to watch, with periods of destructive dancing juxtaposed with re-imagined reality television that judges the dramatic value of contestants’ deaths. Lynch is firm that she doesn’t want to create a piece of theatre that just allows the audience to sit back and enjoy, but to stimulate an ‘intellectual, emotional and sensual’ response in the individual. Our aim is to get the audience to think about the implications of their own deaths. If you died tomorrow, what are the things you wish you’d never said or done? What would your fantasy funeral be like? What objects would your family keep as mementos of you? Life is intrinsic to a good performance, because actors need to feed off the energies of the audience and their fellow performers. The physical vibrancy of this piece and the youth of the company mean that this play can be seen to be more of a celebration of life than a dialogue with death. The only thing we know for certain about this life is that we get one shot at it. So let’s make the most of it!

4th February - 26th February 2013

ARTS

Samuel Spencer Arts Sub-editor arts@roarnews.co.uk

@onechaptermore

MUSICAL FEARS MATILDA: A DAHL-IGHT

Samuel Spencer YOU MAY WONDER why we’ve chosen to dedicate half of our section to musicals. After all, this is an art section, is it not? Surely we’re not suggesting that ‘Hairspray’ is the new ‘Hamlet’? Surely musicals are those things other people go to? Your gran goes to musicals. Tourists go to musicals. But we, cultured individuals and art aficionados do not go to musicals, right? Well, yes and no. The reason we’ve dedicated the section to the musical is exactly this. For too long we’ve completely neglected the musical as an art form, and I count myself in that ‘we’, for I am one of the biggest musical snobs of them all. The prospect of spending an evening watching an adaptation of a film that wasn’t that great to begin with, but with the unwelcome addition of an exploited dead artists’ only slightly relevant back catalogue (I’m looking at you, ‘The Bodyguard’....) fills me with deep horror. Faced with the choice between seeing a Lloyd Webber piece and breaking my own fingers, I’ll reach for the hammer every time. But where does this snobbery come from? Go back to the so-called ‘golden age of theatre’ of Shakespeare and co., and there’s no differentiation between the musical and the theatre. Even the bloodiest of tragedies had songs, both comic and serious (as recreated in many ‘faithful’ adaptations of the Bard, such as the excellent Twelfth Night at the Apollo Theatre), and often even had dance numbers. Masques were royal entertainment; the ultimate form of musical/theatrical combination True, there’s a difference between a comic interlude written by some of our nation’s greats and having to sit through ‘Loserville’, but even so. It’s also an attitude that even the film industry has come over to. Although Hollywood does on occasion come out with musicals as deeply awful as ‘Rock of Ages’ or Pierce Brosnan in ‘Mamma Mia!’ (insert ‘SOS’ pun here), many of the most interesting films of recent years, both Hollywood and arthouse, have been musicals. Take ‘Dancer in the Dark’, Lars Von Trier’s 2000 Palme d’Or winner, featuring Björk as a factory worker who starts to have visions of Hollywood musicals as she loses her sight. Or

‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’, a musical about a transsexual rock star in post-Cold War Berlin (yes, really). All of that without even getting to another ‘golden age’, that of the MGM/ RKO musical of the 1930s, or mentioning the many great Oscar nominated/winning musicals; ‘Cabaret’, ‘Chicago’, ‘Meet Me In St Louis’, ‘West Side Story’, ‘All That Jazz’ etc as well as, of course, the breathless terms that people are currently discussing ‘French Revolution with tunes’ epic that is ‘Les Misérables’. So why so often do West End musicals seem to be the final dumpingground for ill-judged remakes of ‘80s romcoms, never-ending Disney and Lloyd Webber productions and increasingly odd choices of jukebox musical? Maybe because that’s the easiest option - with seat prices heading towards £100, familiar stories and songs guarantee people in seats, while the film industry is able to pick off the best-selling shows like some sort of musical vulture.

Emma Richmond SO WHAT is so great about Matilda? If you’d asked me about it a year ago I’d have begun a well-worn rant about producers cashing in on franchises and never bothering to create anything original. Of course that was before I saw it. I’m judgemental like that. I can never say no to a £5 student ticket though (details on the website) so off I went. I distinctly remember sitting through most of the first half of this sensational show with a stupid grin adorning my face, actually leaning forward to drink every detail in. Because if you give it a chance, this show will blow you away. It has everything musical theatre needs: an engaging

and funny story, fabulous characters, fast-paced choreography (performed with expert timing by the young cast), and some catchy tunes to boot. Of course I can go no further without crediting the genius that is Tim Minchin for said catchy tunes. You don’t have to be a Minchin fan to fall in love with the songs though, you just need a sound appreciation of fabulously clever wordplay. More than that the story itself actually is original: the focus is shifted from magic to the real heart of the plot – the horrors of bullying and the wonders of the childish mind. This is by no means a bad alteration, it makes the show wonderfully touching as well as comic. One of the shows best features is Miss Trunchbull: David Leonard

VIVA FOREVER? PLEASE GIRLS, NO!

the stage. Drugs, middle-aged sex, and unquantifiable alcohol constituted this musical abomination. I do love Jennifer Saunders, but the narrative frame that she provides certainly doesn’t deserve Joanna Lumley’s trademark commendation, ‘absolutely fabulous’. If anyone can second her sentiment, they are either much too cute and kind for the West End or they entertain severely horrific standards of judgement.

In true musical, style, though, it’s not all doom and gloom. As West End theatre becomes more and more of a by-word for stale smugness, a small vanguard of shows are making a small but significantly British step towards the loftier heights of the Hollywood musical. These are shows such as ‘Matilda’ (as reviewed to the right of this article), which has received rave reviews since its opening, and has received a record seven Olivier awards both for the play and for its Tim Minchincomposed campaign. Or the slightly edgier ‘Taboo’, the Boy George-penned (and also Olivier winning) musical about performance artist legend Leigh Bowery, which has just extended its run at the Brixton Clubhouse until the end of March, and brings a more subversive strain to the general camp of the musical, following the trend of queer classics such as Hedwig, ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’. Yes, there’s really a lot of crap out there (as shown by one of our writer’s experiences at the latest of the jukebox musicals, ‘Viva Forever’), but that doesn’t mean that excellent interesting things aren’t being done in the format that should be worth considering.

gives the ultimate show-stealing performance and is truly hilarious, but we also get to glimpse why Miss Trunchbull is such a tyrant and to see the origins of her madness. It’s very refreshing to see so much work having gone into a new show. If you’re like me then you’ve been to some of the long-running shows before and while you have loved it, you’ve also felt like they’ve had so many rave reviews that they’ve stopped trying. Not so here. They’ve actually cast actors who can act as well as sing (rarer than you’d wish in the West End) and the children don’t sound like they’ve just finished a run of Annie. What’s so great about Matilda then, is that the audience is never taken for granted.

Kiya Biers “DO YOU STILL remember, how we used to be?” I certainly do, Baby Spice! We aren’t all gay, but we universally reserve a place in our childhood hearts for the glee that only the flamboyancy of the Spice Girls could ever fill. Seating was steep, but never mind – before me was a stage of glittering pink and purple! With an elated smile upon my face, I therefore sat excitedly fidgeting just moments before the the official Spice Girls’ Musical, Viva Forever! began. Curtain up – wahoo! But, oh dear... Four girls – to be blunt with stereotypes, chavs – stomped stormily around the very bare stage, alcohol in hand, profanity at the tips of their tongues. Everyone around me looked around, alert, panicked, anxious to know when some mode of security

would finally remove these detestable creatures from the sacred space. After some structure of dialogue spewed forth from their mouths, though – a rambled ode to getting tanked in celebration of having progressed to the next stage of an X Factor-style talent show – I am very sure that mine was not the sole jaw to gape open, realising that indeed this was the start of Viva Forever! I fumbled desperately for my phone and hurriedly smashed the search terms Viva Forever! review into Bing. Two stars – one star – The Telegraph, half a star; my bright heart bled. My colourful dreams descended instantly into muddy disillusionment. But, no, this was, yes, this was the Spice Girls! The precedent surely could not have been set yet! It had. Across the subsequent two-and-ahalf hours, it was only the spirit of Scary Spice that vaguely haunted

The Spice Girls’ discography provides opportunity for so many pleasant storylines. Instead, Saunders offers a messy, tired saga of a girl group overcoming ridiculously unimpressive adversity to win a contest that gains no audience interest. No joke is funny; no character is authentic; scenes jump sporadically sustaining no consistent sentiments. Somewhere amongst the dunghill are ‘Wannabe’, ‘Stop’ and ‘Mama’, all individually sung well. But of what value is good singing in a musical that is otherwise a torturous plague upon its audiences? ‘Was it just a dream?’ Unfortunately not – this disgrace is on stage even now. Still, Phyllida Lloyd needn’t worry – Viva Forever! will not be upstaging Mamma Mia in cinemas whilst mankind retains some vague degree of aesthetic sense.

4th February - 26th February 2013

MUSIC Will Davenport & Hannah Ewens Music Editors music@roarnews.co.uk

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LIVING THE DREAM, OR ‘MEH’ and on the other having the joy being tempered quite simply by the tedium of the necessary practical realities that lie behind such a lifestyle.

Matthew Blaiden AT SCHOOL and until relatively recently, I was one of a great many other young people who entertained ambitions of becoming some sort of touring musician, living a nomadic life playing gigs in myriad different places across the country and - we even dared to dream - internationally. It was a glossy vision of Culture Capitals, Journeys, Mates, Random Encounters and whiling away the hours with Great Music. We loved music, whatever genre that meant for each of us, and there wasn’t anything we could possibly imagine better than spending the rest of our lives devoted to it, playing, listening, travelling. For me, the dream of touring as a musician is starting to become something like reality; but not quite how I expected. This weekend was one where I made one of several trips of gradually increasing frequency to perform away from London, trips that I now feel somewhat ambivalent about. There’s a kind of imbalance between on the one hand enjoying being able to go and play the music I love in post-card beautiful and/or prestigious locations,

My experiences will inevitably be different to those of a band, for example - I am a solo classical musician playing the organ, an instrument which brings its own brand of complications. But I am still a young, emerging performing musician. In a way, the original dream isn’t too far from the truth - don’t worry, this isn’t a depressing avoid-your-ambitionsfor-they-are-tragically-naïve article. I get to leave London increasingly often, which, as much as I love my home city, is a relief sometimes. I go and play concerts in Edinburgh, Blackburn, Portsmouth, Oxford and Cambridge, for example. Hardly Vegas, I know, but what I think is special is that you’re going somewhere away from home for the singular and simple purpose of Doing Music. The specific locations of importance will be different for each type of musician, but the general sense is the same I think in the organ world, getting your first invitations to perform in cathedrals and Oxbridge college chapels is almost akin to the first invitation to play a music festival. In order to make these happy events happen, though, it isn’t news that a great deal of rehearsing has to be done. For a solo instrumentalist more than any other kind of player this can be intensely solitary, entailing as it does many long hours and often late nights alone in a practice room or church playing the same passages repeatedly. I am lucky here at KCL that there are several other organists in my year with whom I can share the pro-

cess, but I have colleagues and friends who will be one of two or three organists in a whole Oxbridge college or other university. This is pretty standard though, and however selfpitying it may sound, when you’re on the trip to play a solo concert, the solitary nature of the whole pursuit becomes more evident than ever.

Often it’s more than a day trip; for instance, I will arrive the day before the concert to rehearse. As an organist this is a more drawn out process than for many other players - every instrument feels, sounds, looks and responds differently, almost having their own personalities, and each venue will behave differently acoustically. As a result I will normally have to rehearse for at least 3 or 4 hours that day. What follows are many attempts at time-killing - my hosts are often professionals or busy students themselves, so they have their own lives which carry on around my behind-the-scenes activities. Sure, I can read a book, crack open Spotify, text and Facebook, play Brickbreaker or Angry Birds if particularly desperate, but eventually, you do get tired of this and would quite like to interact with another human being. If it’s a totally new city, you won’t know anyone, so dinner becomes remarkably uneventful, and drinking alone both results from and produces dejection, sothat’s out. Even seeking refuge in sleep is only temporary and the next day brings a similar cocktail of killing time and rehearsing until the performance itself. I don’t know if this is because I’m at the start of my career and so have developed only limited connections in the various places I go to perform,

but it’s the reality at the moment. It’s during the gig and immediately afterwards that the enjoyment comes, I find; those 60 minutes are what you came to do and audiences are (generally) lovely after the concert. But it has struck me that those 60 minutes and the enthusiastic audiences greeting us like long-absent friends are where the youthful vision ends for most of us. For it is not in the nature of dreams to be concerned with practicalities. Rather like a contract where the attraction we’re pursuing is in the initial obvious clauses, and we discover the tiresome small-print as we go along, they’re sometimes quite deceptive. I’m categorically not saying I wish I’d never pursued music - I would never say such a thing and both love playing and am perfectly prepared to endure the difficulties - nor am I telling readers to abandon those fantasies of yesteryear. Rather, be prepared for what the fantasies’ frames eclipsed. I met a top touring solo player who told me how in the following week or

so he would be performing elsewhere in England, Germany and the USA. I very excitedly wanted stories and enthusiasm, gushingly exclaiming how thrilling I reckoned it would be. To this I received an unassumingly enlightening monosyllable, whose demeanor of delivery was apathetic, not falsely modest: “Meh.” This clued me up to what I now realise - it’s not that being a touring musician isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, it’s that it’s more. I’ve found that, as a solo instrumentalist at least, whilst the “magic” of the performance is a real and wonderful thing, it’s wrapped quite tightly in unavoidable logistical and, yes, psychological challenges. Being aware of this, and allowing yourself to take a break from this thing that for so long was a break, is how to avoid becoming like the musician I met, I think, how to avoid hating - or worse, feeling apathy towards - what, at the moment, you love.

CHECK OUT THE TURBANS Jessica Andrews

I LONG FOR a return to the glory days of music. In a world dominated by sugary Bieber disco pop and whining indie darlings blinded by their own fringes, one would be forgiven for craving something fresh. I mourn the fact that it is no longer 2007, where I listened to music being played by actual people instead of machines, without access to a small trust fund. Whilst listening exclusively to Rolling Stones B-sides in order to counteract such mundane torpidity has become homogenous in itself, I have discovered a new, young, living, breathing, local band that makes me excited about music again. Enter: The Turbans. Describing themselves as ‘Bearded Travelling Gypsy Klezmer Balkan legends’ and their hometown as ‘manywhere’, this eclectic collection of musicians can be seen for free among the uneven paving stones of London Town most weekends. Often perched upon the curbs of Columbia Road come Sunday, or gathered outside a pub on Broadway Market, this musical circus somehow

ignites that reckless, restless itch within the soles of my feet, and creates the illusion that one is a part of the world rather than struggling against it, like music was once supposed to.

It is therefore impossible not to feel at a Turbans gig, whether one is dancing or weeping, or both simultaneously. They are a far cry from auto-tune or the mechanical whinge of a synthesizer.

Formed on a bicycle trip to India in 2009, The Turbans are a frantic crescendo led by classical violinist Darius Luke Thompson, and are composed of guitars, ouds, clarinets, tambourines, trumpets, mandolins, washboards and vocals.

By nature elusive, it is difficult to pinpoint upcoming shows, but if you would like a taste of this skintingling menagerie, keep your eyes peeled for announcements from Jamboree in Cable Street Studios, or Passing Clouds in Dalston, as they often frequent the stages there and usually play to a packed venue.

Their line-up changes frequently due to the transient nature of their relentless touring, meaning that no two Turbans gigs are ever the same. This creates a sense of magic for the listener, reinforcing the notion that the audience is witnessing the creation of a unique piece of art with each song, never to be played the exact same way again. They draw influences from traditional Balkan, Klezmer, Turkish, Celtic and Greek folk songs, which combined with their brilliant energy creates an almost transcendental experience for the listener, allowing the mind to wander far away from grey-hued reality and to explore any avenue it desires.

Alternatively, take a chance upon a London market of a weekend and keep your ears peeled for Eastern melodies winding their way through the crowds. If you cannot stand the tinny thump of your iPod speakers, or the thought of a West-End nightclub makes your skin crawl, then The Turbans are the band for you... Original, exciting, infectious; they take hold of your senses and shake them all up, leaving you with your perception of what music really is distorted forever.

4th February - 26th February 2013

MUSIC

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UNCHAINED MELODIES: TARANTINO’S LASTEST SCORE Henry Cross TARANTINO’S latest offering, Django Unchained, is yet another stroke of genius to add to the director’s long list of commercial and artistic successes. But what is it that makes his films just so entertaining? Whether you like them or not, an indisputable point is his attention to detail, particularly when it comes to popular

culture references. People who recognise the references can gain pleasure in feeling like they are in the know and others can simply appreciate how everything looks. An enormous part of this whole image is the music used. Breaking from the norm, Tarantino rarely uses original music in his films, bar the occasional example such as the song Who Did That To You by John Legend featured in Django (well worth a listen in its own right, by the way).

Baker Selection’s Little Green Bag playing in the background? The gangsters emerge from the diner in their classic black and white suits while that tune just encompasses everything that is so indescribably cool about it. Pulp Fiction, after Pumpkin and Honey-Bunny start their raid, also in a diner, the quick cut to the credits and Dick Dale’s Miserlou brings out all the visceral energy

Instead, he uses a blend of old film scores and classic and new music, both well-known and unfamiliar. He spends a great deal of time researching the right music to use, and says himself that in fact the best music can really define the scene he already had in his head, making into what it becomes in the final cut.

For me, the best example is in Inglorious Basterds, when The Basterds raid a jail cell to acquire their latest member, Tarantino expertly employs the music from another great film, The Battle of Algiers. The strange little drum roll and brooding piano notes add to the exciting nature of the scene, whilst also adding a little humour in the way that this old style marching-like song is applied to these renegade killers.

Opening scenes seem to be a place where Tarantino’s music choice particularly comes into its own. Take his first two films.

It may not be going too far, even, to say that the music in Tarantino’s films is actually the best part about them.

Who could imagine the car park scene in Reservoir Dogs without George

REVIEW

Tara Joshi SUMMER CAMP Young (Moshi Moshi)

A RECENT discussion of good music videos led to me recalling my love for Summer Camp’s ‘Round the Moon’ video – and, in turn, has led to the happy rediscovery of their debut EP, Young. There is something kind of exquisite about their incredibly dreamy brand of dazed pop; full of a warming, perfect sense of nostalgia for an era that isn’t even mine – though, in fairness, it’s not their’s either. Music as hazy and fuzzy as the polaroid cameras it references, there is something about it that’s really immersive and easy to get lost in. I love the Brat Pack allusions, the samples from Say Anything and Heathers and the stories of American house parties of the kind that seem to exist solely in ’80s and ’90s high school movies. This EP was the beginning of the new wave of boy/girl duos making daring,

that the scene, and the entire film throws straight into the viewer’s face. As well as this use of pop material though, where the originality in Tarantino’s soundtracks really lies, paradoxically, is in his use of old film’s often forgotten, but utterly legendary, music snippets. The whistling of California Mountain Snake as she walks to assassinate the bride is from a bizarre little English psychological thriller from 1968 called Twisted Nerve. The atmosphere created almost surpasses its original use.

romantic pop, but Young stands out – not least as my favourite example of Summer Camp’s oeuvre. It’s more than the strange evoking of another time, I think; it’s the reminder that the stories that Summer Camp are telling on their EP – the stories of being young – are sort of timeless. Whether you grew up in the ’80s or you’re going through that weird phase between being a teenager and entering adulthood right now, I think there are always going to be the parties with questionable anec dotes; epiphanies about your life and your choices; ill-advised crushes and nights you stay up dancing and talking about nothing at all. For this alone, I think Young is an EP that encapsulates pretty perfectly what it set out to do. Beautiful.

Not only the actual music, but also the sound effects and production that are used contribute to create an exemplar of film audio. At any rate, if not the best part, then they are certainly a defining factor to the overall effect of intelligent dialogue, riveting storylines and unbridled action that make Tarantino probably the most entertaining film maker that has ever lived.

4th February - 26th February 2013

FILM Katie Sinclair Film Editor film@roarnews.co.uk

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BEAUTIFUL CREATURES EXCLUSIVE Roar! Film sits down with stars, Alden Ehrenreich and Alice Englert to find out why Beatiful Creatures is not just another teen movie...

Aoife Dowling BEAUTIFUL CREATURES stars, Alden Ehrenreich (23) and Alice Englert (18) have got the giggles. It’s been a long day of publicity in the plush Corinthia Hotel. When Roar! sits down for a chat, it’s one of the first interviews without television cameras. Relieved by the absence of filming, the two relax on the couch - stretching their limbs and settling in to the plush surroundings. Alden – who plays small-town-boy Ethan Wate – is fashionably dressed in a well-cut suit and smart shoes. He has all the easy confidence you’d expect from one who’s been dubbed “Hollywood’s next supernatural stud” by Teen Vogue. In person, Alden is consciously cool and speaks emphatically; he’s a million miles away from the goofy adolescent he plays in the film. Alice - who plays mysterious witch Lena Duchannes - is casually dressed in a Christmas sweater and denim skirt, with natural hair and no makeup. You can see why they chose her to play the fantasy heroine - she radiates the ‘pale and interesting’ looks of the teen fantasy genre. She speaks carefully, yet sure of her words: she’s a little more indie, more teenage than Alden. What drew them to this film? Alden claims he was inspired by an instant connection to his character, Ethan Wate: “I knew within a couple of pages of the script that I wanted to do the film. It’s like when you meet somebody and you feel chemistry. When I read the script, I felt chemistry with the character. I admired his outlook, his idealism, his determination and his humour.” Alice, too, was drawn by the hu-

“I THINK THAT DOING BIG FILMS IS LIKE MEETING THE PARENTS... YOU SHOULD HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP... BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT’S NOT A IDEA TO MOVE IN” - ALICE mour of the film. “I could take it seriously because it didn’t take itself too seriously. [Scriptwriter] Richard LaGravenese did a really lovely job of making a coming-of-age love story that also has the sort of fun playfulness of the fantasy world.” The film is certainly not afraid of comedy. Alden’s character, Ethan, always has a joke at hand – even in the tensest moments of the film. Did that make for a fun atmosphere on set? Alden nods earnestly. “Yeah, absolutely. When you’re doing scenes like that, the energy that the scene requires of me as an actor is to have that kind of playfulness and fun - which just adds up to having a pretty good day, you know.” The over-the-top magic scenes only added to the playful atmosphere. Alden describes a scene in which magic forces wreak havoc at a dinner party – entailing a spinning table and a moving dining room. “It was wild, really wild. Everything was spinning. I’m supposed to be under a spell in that scene, so the director told me to sit stiff as a board and hold a really straight face. My friends saw that shot in a trailer, and they were like: ‘is that how you’re acting?!’” Alden and Alice both fall into peals of laughter. “It seems like I’m doing this big,

over-the-top vaudeville thing!” Composing herself, Alice notes: “I think actually there is something about the film that plays with that overthe-top thing, and makes it work.” Aside from the fun factor, there are also serious elements to the film. At its heart, Beautiful Creatures is a film about growing up – and making good decisions along the way. As a young Caster (or witch), Alice’s character Lena faces the decision between the paths of Light and Dark. Unlike typical fantasy heroines, Lena is no damsel in distress – she’s a strong young woman, growing in maturity throughout the film. Alice is enthusiastic about the strength of her character, saying: “That’s what I loved about her. She’s a young woman making her own choices in life, and you know, claiming herself.” Alden adds: “that’s really why it’s nice they cast Alice – because she’s not a little cupcake-y actress who’s just trying to be pretty. She has as much conviction as her character does. She’s not just some brooding woman trying to look smouldering and sexy. She’s much more intelligent and clear about her values than that.” Narrator Ethan Wate also has rolemodel credentials. He’s an all-round

decent guy – a rare thing in teen romance films. Alden credits the authors of the book, Beautiful Creatures is adapted from: “The authors know this genre really well. In a lot of the books, the guys are these steely, aloof jerks to the girls. They wanted to romanticise a guy who is interested in things, who’s conscientious and polite. He has ambitions, and reads books. Because if you’re a young girl and you start idealising mean guys, it’s not good. It’s not going to work out that well.” Alice adds: “That’s fantasy. And the books always end before it stops being a fantasy.” Alden: “You don’t see the guy turn into, like, a drug dealer or something. Or start hitting the heroine!” Do they think Beautiful Creatures could be the new Twilight? “Ah, Twilight!” sighs Alden. Alice laughs: “Today somebody told us ‘there’s a huge Twilight-shaped hole in a lot of people’s lives! I agree – there is a big hole, and the media are trying to find its replacement. I just don’t know how realistic it is.” Alden adds: “Hopefully people just like the movie, first and foremost, because that has to happen first – before any of that other stuff happens.”

Aside from Twilight comparisons, Beautiful Creatures is a major production in its own right – likely to be a major turning point in the careers of both young actors. Alice notes: “I think that doing big films is like meeting the parents. You start by falling in love with film. But to continue your relationship, you eventually have to meet the parents. You should have a good relationship with the parents – but at the same time, it’s not a good idea to move in with the parents!” Laughing, Alden adds: “We’re grateful to be in a film that’s so commercial and popular, without having to feel like we compromised. The story is as dramatically compelling as any of the small independent films I was reading at the same time; we didn’t sell out creatively. I’m so glad I’m not wearing tights in this film.” Alice protests: “You’d look GREAT in tights, Alden!” That’s set them off – they’re giggling again. Look out for Aoife’s review of Beautiful Creatures which will be available to read at roarnews.co.uk from Valentine’s Day. If you would like to contribute to the Roar! film section, please email out film editor at film@roarnews.co.uk.

“IF YOU’RE A YOUNG GIRL AND YOU START IDEALISING MEAN GUYS, IT’S NOT GOOD. IT’S NOT GOING TO WORK OUT THAT WELL.” - ALDEN

4th February - 26th February 2013

FILM

Aoife Dowling Film Sub-Editor film@roarnews.co.uk

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IS DANIEL DAY-LEWIS THE BEST ACTOR ALIVE? Katie Sinclair

LINCOLN IS a wonderful movie. The biopic charts iconic president Abraham Lincoln’s crowning moment: the abolition of slavery and Civil War victory. But, as history shows, winning and freedom come at a price. The costs of Lincoln’s achievements lay a blow to his government, his family, and later, his own life. Spielberg makes masterpieces. There’s no other way to describe his illustrious body of work, to which Lincoln is a testament. Whether inside the courtroom or out on the battlefield, Spielberg’s direction sets us in the heart of the action, both emotionally and physically. The extended cast is managed effectively, from star names such as Sally Fields and the rising Joseph Gordon-Levitt, to the hundreds of painstakingly costumed extras on the battlefield. The narrative is extremely intricate yet exquisitely told, a testament to writer Tony Kushner who makes the specific history understandable, especially for British audiences ignorant of the finer details of a period many see as America’s greatest moment. My only issue with the film is the fact I believe it could have been made years ago. Yes, it is extremely well made, acted and written, but the piece seems tailored to the kind of Academy votes it has garnered. It is after all, a biopic of a great American made

with aplomb by a great American. It ticks all the boxes. Spielberg and sentimentality always go hand in hand, but pivotal moments sometimes seem contrived. Unlike some of its fellow nominees, Lincoln does visibly little to innovate the filmmaking field, which is why I predict it may not walk away with a full sweep of awards-pernomination. You heard it here first.

What elevates Lincoln into the upper echelons of movie history is Daniel Day-Lewis’s performance. Day-Lewis is one of the few actors working in Hollywood who has refreshingly redefined his stardom. When you watch him on screen, you forget you are watching an actor but instead see the President, with the audience feeling the weight of the divided Nation on his shoulders. Eschewing celebrity, Day-Lewis’s star image is of a method actor who lived as Lincoln for a year before shooting began. Such dedication has paid off for Day-Lewis throughout his career. Extremely selective, he stars in only a film every few years as he literally embodies each role. Day-Lewis proved his acting prowess in one of his first films, My Beautiful Laundrette, written by King’s alumnus Hanif Kureishi. His first Oscar win was for his visceral performance in My Left Foot. As disabled Christy Brown, his lauded performance is genuine enough to be touching, never descending into mockery.

As sinister Daniel Plainview in Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood, for which he won his second Oscar, he captures every scene against the backdrop of oildriven Texan scenery. His range as an actor is as impressive as his performances, having offered sterling performances in movies as diversely different as Gangs of New York and star-studded musical Nine. Day-Lewis may have his third Oscar next month for Lincoln. Unlike the female category, the Best Actor race this year is the tightest it has been in years. Paul Thomas Anderson may have directed yet another Oscar win for Joaquin Phoenix in The Master. Phoenix definitely has at least one ‘money scene’ – an unblinking moment in the basement with Philip Seymour Hoffman which showcases for Academy voters his indisputable talent. Speaking of masterful, Hugh Jackman’s soulful turn in Les Miserables risks an upset. But Day-Lewis is the hot favourite: if he wins, he will be the first actor in history to win the Best Actor Oscar thrice. And I think he’ll snag it. Whatever the outcome on February 24th, one truth seems evident. Considering his range and depth, coupled with his unique ability to truly immerse himself in a role, Daniel Day-Lewis is the best actor alive.

THE 40 YEAR-OLD VIRGIN GETS SERIOUS

Charlotte Woods

BASED ON A true story, The Sessions, directed by Ben Lewin, focuses on Mark O’Brien. Left paralysed from a childhood bout of polio, the 38-year-old journalist and poet spends his life confined to an iron lung. He longs for an experience of true love and sex. The 40 Year-Old Virgin just got serious. As O’Brien (John Hawkes) is unsuccessful in declaring his feelings for his carer, Amanda (Annika Marks), he resorts to seeing a sex surrogate Cheryl (Helen Hunt) who offers him six sessions. The final aim of these sessions is to achieve intercourse

a wish deemed acceptable by his Catholic priest, Father Brendan (William. H. Macy). Inevitably, Cheryl falls for Mark’s romantic gestures and surprisingly upbeat humour. Hunt earns a well-deserved Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, providing an emotional performance and unimaginable confidence (completely naked within minutes of meeting her!)

to reflect a very British awkwardness. Admittedly, the viewing is uncomfortable; it is difficult to watch a man in such a situation feel unloved and have sex in such an instructive fashion, and the full nudity is reduced from the sexual to the surgical in viewing. This attitude compares to other films such as My Sister’s Keeper (2009), where the nature of illness and treatment was uncomfortable for audiences.

However, critics claim Hawkes was snubbed by the industry for not getting a nomination. His acting was moving and believable; it seems this film has not been given as much credit as it deserves. Saying this, the lack of hype seems

More recently, Tarrentino’s Django Unchained with its extreme violence and over-use of racial slurs have had the same effect. Perhaps it is just a part of being British, but it is awkward watching subjects that deviate from our usual big screen expectations.

SAFE OSCAR NOMINATIONS ARE IRRELEVANT Rachael Krishna

AS A CERTIFIED film nerd, this time of year does not bring the post-December blues that all the daylight seeking public fear. For in the cinema world, the new year brings only one thing: awards season. With this should come delight, surprise and nail biting anticipation. This year however, the Oscar nominations line-up looks, to be frank, a bit rubbish. The Academy seems to have fallen into a pattern of nominating films that beg for attention.

I have nothing against Stephen Spielberg. He makes some good films; if he didn’t he wouldn’t be so renowned. However, his latest offering seems so tailored to the awards that if it was a dress, Meryl Streep would be wearing it. Lincoln screams “Love me, award me, look at how deep and pretty and historically accurate I am.”

warm and fuzzy, they try to tell us we are better people for sitting for over two hours through films about misery and death. A part of me wishes I could fully exclude Django Unchained from this criticism, however Tarantino has always been a kooky, alternative darling of the Academy, making his praise predictable.

With these nominations, the Academy looks down on the year in cinema like a single aged malt looks down on a shot of Jack Daniels. These films seem too highbrow for the cinema going public. Instead of leaving us

I thank whatever higher Academy being for throwing The Sessions at least one nomination. But it definitely deserves more. It’s so beautifully simplistic in it’s creation; it doesn’t use big sets, big marketing or even have

huge stars in it. It doesn’t scream Oscar, but you come away from watching it feeling like it should be hugged and given every award possible. Christopher Nolan is snubbed yet again, despite the Dark Knight series revolutionising the superhero genre. If we award Tarantino’s quirky what about the brilliant odd ball that was Moonrise Kingdom, or Javier Bardem’s bizarre blonde turn in Skyfall. All of these are wonderful performances lacking the air of arrogance unfortunately expected of Oscar nominees. The Academy Awards seems to have

become an elite circle reluctant to allow versatility or innovation; a repeated set of directors seem to garner awards, making it difficult for smaller scale productions to make an impact. This year’s crop of best picture nominees ostracises the public from feeling that anything they enjoy is worth critical acclaim. Even controversial comedian host, Seth McFarlane can’t distract from one fact – the nominations are safe.

4th February - 26th February 2013

FASHION Eva Chaideftos Fashion and Lifestyle Editor fashion@roarnews.co.uk

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LONDON COLLECTIONS: MEN Trends and Transformations as 60+ models hit the catwalk! Sophie Hutchings IT’S TRUE, 2013 has now seen its first showcase of British fashion talent only a minute away from the Strand campus. The launch of ‘London Collections: Men’ during the summer of last year presented an opportunity to display not only British but men’s fashion, providing an opportunity for emerging talents; as well as using global menswear brands, and Savile Row tailors. London Collections has encouraged the ‘Buy British’ campaign put forward by retail figures such as Mary Portas. Not only has London Collections supported what David Cameron hopes will be the ‘reindustrialisation’ of Britain, it has also transformed the catwalk by incorporating 60+ models.

Agi & Sam

Designers Agi & Sam have innovated fashion in a way that it seems the female fashion world would never pursue: the senior model. Oliver Spencer is another designer that incorporates older models, appealing to a larger male audience, and essentially widening his market. Why then is women’s fashion so strict and idealistic in its choice of the ‘size zero’? Are men just more laid back? Or are they simply more realistic that clothes are needed by everyone and presenting a modern innovation to be pursued by the female fashion world? We shall see with the London Fashion Week of this February I am sure!

Oliver Spencer

... AND 4 KEY TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR

OVERSIZED CHECKS UPDATE your classic chequered shirt for a wide and oversized check, shown here in the collections of Hackett and Lou Dalton. Buying a size or two bigger will create that oversized look, and team with some tucked in slim chino’s to bag both looks!

THE SLOUCHY TUCKED IN TROUSER FROM patterned sweat pants in James Long’s collection, to Astrid Anderson’s satin look sweat trousers, achieve this look by tucking your trousers into your socks, teamed with some chunky lace up boots. For that more prim look, smart suit like trousers a la Hardy Amies are not only sexy but super stylish.

SAFETY ORANGE IF you’re a little bolder, brands such as Richard Nicoll, Jonathan Saunders and Topman Design’s collection featured a lot of items in bright orange. By the end of the men’s shows in London, orange was confirmed as the leading hue of autumn/winter 2013.

THE ANTI-CHRISTMAS JUMPER FOLLOWING shops full of Fair Isle print, the new jumper on the block is a bit of a scrooge! Go for a crazy colourful pattern and if you can rock the roll neck like Steve McQueen, teaming your jumper over a roll neck top will not only add extra layers but style this look just that bit more!

4th February - 26th February 2013

LIFESTYLE Sneha Choudhury Fashion and Lifestyle Sub-editor fashion@roarnews.co.uk

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feminist wish to avoid physical pain during twenty-first century socialising. However, it may also be viewed as a form of an inadvertent, stilettoed backlash against the rules and regimentation of the eveningwear of bygone eras. The lower level of the acclaimed V&A Ballgowns exhibition is testament to the ostentatious and beautiful, if rather overwhelming, dresses that were the flapper and debutante hey-day norm.

Lauren Clark DRESSING UP. Sounds like one of life’s first world problems I’m sure. However, as any female will realise as soon as the prospect of nights out become a reality, dressing up can prove one of life’s most acute social minefields. What you choose to wear on such clandestine occasions is heavily assessed, and the pressure to look good becomes paramount. However, it can be the perfect opportunity for sartorial escape, experimentation and projecting your inner allure. The border-crossing, occasion-hopping function of eveningwear can be epitomised by Coco Chanel’s Little Black Dress, originally intended for sophisticated social gatherings rather than ‘nights out on the town, mate’, but still making regular, far-reaching appearances, from swanky bars to sweaty clubs.

“DRESSING UP CAN PROVE ONE OF LIFE’S MOST ACUTE SOCIAL MINEFIELDS” We all know what we really want to look like ‘when the sun goes down’ (thank you Arctic Monkeys). Whether your thing is five-inch Louboutins or Dr. Martens, the universal aspiration is to look effortlessly but incredibly good. Remember Bianca Jagger on that white horse in Studio 54 circa 1977, or Kate Moss exiting The Box draped in fur? Both master the elusive art of looking like you’re having fun, and looking good having it. The ‘Balmain’ girl, who strutted down the catwalk in £1000 palewash, torn jeans in 2009, complete with glossy mane, tailored jacket and strappy heels, was a defining moment for many a glamorous urban female. It was the turning point at which the perennial dress became too ‘obvious’, while understated but chic became the go-to adjectives. These days Acne, the Kooples and Zara have all got in on the classic-with-a-twist, Pa

THE CHANGING CASE OF DRESSING UP risian-inspired, night-time template. In fact, the Noughties successfully broke all the rules about what you wear to leave the house after dark.

“YOU CAN GUARANTEE ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE THAT BRITISH FILLIES WILL HAPPILY ROCK UP IN THE MOST DARING FROCKS” It was now no longer necessary to wear heels when ballet flats meant you could dance longer and androgynous female trouser-suit combos, first seen on the red carpet, suddenly

turned acceptable. It became fashionable among the indie, hipster types to channel the club wear of the 80s and 90s – decades of denim, crop tops and big hair. Oh, and if you shop on Brick Lane or in Urban Outfitters, and party in Shoreditch, please insert vintage pieces for good historical measure. Across the continent, jeans, a dash of lip colour, and mussed-up locks now reign: a beach-swept Elle McPherson combined with seductive Penelope Cruz outcome. This is not to say in the slightest that the party dress, and indeed that dressing up in general has died a slow death. Certainly not if the

trusty British nightlife has anything to say. You can guarantee on the international stage that British fillies will happily rock up in the most daring frocks. As soon as Hervé Léger debuted the revered bandage dress and body-con went viral, nothing else could be seen on dance floors up and down the nation. Let us also not forget the long-sleeved, crotch-skimming numbers (an attempt at reverse demure?), or the recent cut-out trend that saw Topshop go scissor-happy. The more toned down approach to dressing up could be attributed to a

When Christian Dior introduced his ‘New Look’ with a flash of lower leg in 1947, and as hemlines rose with the sixties shifts, women could look sexy rather than simply pretty. Previously, looking glamorous and refined, and leaving the rest to the imagination was how night time attire functioned. However the later twentieth century saw dressing up fall firmly into the hands of the newly independent woman and her ability to spend her entire income on going-out wear. While it may be argued that we are now entering an age of nonchalance, natural beauty and I-just-threw-thiscool-outfit-on mentality, others would throw their gravity-defying Antonio Berardi boots at me and scream: “Impact!”.

“THE UNIVERSAL ASPIRATION IS TO LOOK EFFORTLESSLY BUT INCREDIBLY GOOD” Please cite Essex for evidence that the higher your heels, the bigger your clutch, and the more exaggerated your eyeliner flick the better. Travel to the bars and clubs of Miami, Malia or Melbourne and witness the results of hours of fine-tuning. From Coachella, to Mayfair, to warehouse raves, to drinks, we now take more care of how we dress up to party than ever before, even if fluorescent face paint and Converse, not simply Elnett and a whiff of No.5, are the final touches. Remember ladies, there are now no rules.

BEACH 2013: A FEW POINTERS

Sneha Choudhury

find yourself dripping with sweat by the end of it, you’ll leave with a smile on your face. The same lady runs both classes (back-to-back!) and she’s amazing! (Both classes run on Wednesday at Boland House, Guy’s Campus- Zumba: 3-4pm, Dance Fitness: 4-5pm). For those who want something more relaxing and spiritual, the yoga and pilates classes are also proving to be very popular. Swimming is another way of getting fit, and it’s one of the best forms of exercise as it’s a full body work out.

‘GETTING FIT’ or ‘losing weight’ is probably the most desired New Year’s resolution. We all want that hot beach bod in time for summer, but does it ever really happen? It’s a common view among many that the gym is not the most motivating environment: for example, when I see those chiselled men running away on the treadmill, it’s frankly embarrassing to hop on to the machine next to them because I find that it shakes more than it should. Even the very thought of working out in the gym makes me want to barf - it’s smelly, sweaty, and most of all, boring. So here are some more enjoyable and slightly quirkier ways of keeping fit (all of which are based on a dubious knowledge of health and fitness, and bits and pieces taken from urban-ish myths): GREEN TEA! As more of a coffee person, I’m not usually the one for tea, but when I found out about the magical qualities of green tea, I was hooked. Drinking green tea is said to increase the body’s metabolism

EAT! Eating 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day is said to be better than eating 3 larger meals. This is because it controls cravings and generally keeps you less hungry throughout the day. Drinking a glass of water before a meal and eating from a smaller plate are ways of tricking your brain into thinking you’re eating more than you are. rate, and although it doesn’t affect immediate fat loss, it does something in there to help. It’s also great for detoxing and is also said to reduce the chances of developing heart disease and some types of cancer.

takes more energy to digest the apple than the apple itself contains, which explains why some feel hungrier after eating them. This really excited me when I first heard about it. Apples are my new favourite snack.

APPLES! Its crazy, but apparently it

FITNESS CLASSES! Kinetic Gym

offers a huge variety of classes which are a great alternative to the despised gym. Whilst offering intense workouts, the Zumba and Dance Fitness classes are some of the most enjoyable ways of getting fit. The lively, funky music makes it easier to do the steps, and although you might

These are just a few tips that could help us to become healthier individuals. Hopefully they will play a small, even if miniscule part in helping me achieve my ideal beach-bod. Good luck!

4th February - 26th February 2013

STUDENTS Catherine King Student Groups Editor students@roarnews.co.uk

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ROAR! SOCIETY OF THE YEAR

Suha Alwan ROAR! is proud to present the winner of our King’s Society competition. Meet ‘TeamUp’, a group of students devoted to improving the educational future of others and ultimately changing their lives for the better. Our new sub-editor, Suha Alwan, got a chance to meet them and see what they’re all about. How many of us can say that we have taken a proactive step in fighting the government’s onslaught on the accessibility of education in this country? Only 200 King’s students turned up for the Demo last month, although we are all more or less angered, dismayed even at scrapping of the EMA for the poorest students and at the hike in tuition fees. Perhaps it is because we feel that nothing can be changed now, since the laws have been passed and we can only sit back and watch, as young people become disillusioned with the prospect of higher education. Though ‘King’s’ Think Tank’ recently debated the worth of degrees today, it could not be denied that the option

should be open to all who want it. Certainly, social mobility is the phrase on the tip of everyone’s tongue at the moment. It seems every week the news bulletins are flooded with blame attached to teachers’ competency one day, and University elitism the next - or on the syllabus itself. Never has the objective of increasing social mobility been a more pertinent subject. Yet, a group of students, conglomerating noiselessly in Guy’s’ Boland House every Saturday, are actively clearing away the murky condensation of disillusionment on the window, and helping school pupils in the local area see a clearer, better vision of the future. This group goes by the name of TeamUp. But wait. I feel I have to justify my gag-inducing excuse of a metaphor, so hear me out. With thanks to those who had the task of drumming up sponsors, which now include the Bank of America and Merrill Lynch, TeamUp can boast of 6 programmes in London’s top universities and another at Oxford University. Students – volunteers, I should stress - from these

institutions build up a rapport with the local state schools and subsequently offer free tuition and mentoring to kids who otherwise would not benefit from the attention and tailored instruction from tutors that privately educated pupils may have.

free school meals left school with basic school leavers’ qualifications in 2012’ reads one, yet ‘70% of all high court judges, 51% of top doctors and 68% of top barristers are represented by the small minority of those who paid for a private education’.

The committee members assure me that the main aim is not just to get these pupils to university. All around GCSE age, the pupils from inner city London schools come to the TeamUp tutoring sessions to boost their grade up a level, be it in English, Maths, or Science. If they warm to the idea of university over the next few years it is only a bonus.

Clearly TeamUp’s mission is tended towards a helping hand for not only the most disadvantaged students, but, as the second statistic implies, state school educated pupils on the whole who may not be able to afford private tuition. Since Private schools educate only around 7% of school age pupils in the UK, the academic and career opportunities that appear out of reach for the majority are not justifiable.

However, meeting university students for the first time is an eye opener for some of these pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, having known few people in their lives who have attended somewhere like King’s. “They meet us and we’re just normal people!” laughs Amirah, the development officer, which she admits is a confidence boost for them. The figures on TeamUp’s website are definitely staggering, but not surprising. ‘Only 33% of pupils eligible for

It is definitely a surprise that there are not many more societies offering the same services that TeamUp do. Not only is it a chance for Universities to ‘give back’ to the local community, but university students can acquire key leadership skills, training and networking opportunities that are imperative for any career. A welcome event allows volunteers and committee members to rub shoulders with the business lead-

ers that allowed for the TeamUp vision to come to fruition. Towards the end of the year, an awards evening rewards their achievements. What is most noticeable is that, because it is not a classroom, the kids seem eager and engaged; they choose to come and learn. All the tutors are passionate about the organisation’s ethos, meaning positivity radiates from each and every one of them. “I think the eventual aim is to try and make it go regional” muses committed President Rose; and I definitely hope it does. For the meantime, the King’s TeamUp society just wants to get the word out: there are opportunities for students to directly enrich the community using their academic skills and personalities, and there are many more pupils in London who would appreciate them. At a time where the future seems uncertain, kids may look to University as a distant dream, but, Amirah concludes, “Coming here they have a better sense that it is achievable”. TeamUp welcome volunteers from any discipline to become tutors. See teamup.org.uk for more information.

4th February - 26th February 2013

STUDENTS

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GIVE A SPIT AND SAVE A LIFE

KCL Marrow

that the organisation is adept with its publicity and secure in its future.

LATE on a December afternoon, a ukelele playing choir belt out I Can See Clearer Now to the quizzical commuters at Monument station. They were adorned with Santa hats and tinsel and quickly attracted delighted on-lookers who eventually began to sing along. No, it wasn’t one of T-mobile’s oh-so-glorious flash-mob marketing stunts. This was KCL’s Ukelele society. The point of their performace? They helped the attract attention of the buskers to KCL Marrow. The unlikely partnership consequently raised £613 from busking on this day alone, and £1,345 in total during Jingle Rag.

However, the future of a leukemia sufferer is far from secure. For many, a bone marrow transplant is their only hope, but a perfect match is rare. That is what sets this charity apart from others: money is not the sole means by which they provide help, because it is even more important to have a ready abundance of bone marrow donations, which go some way to guaranteeing any patient a life-saving match.

This is just one of the success stories of KCL Marrow, whose job is to raise money and donor registrations for the Anthony Nolan Trust, an organisation specialising in giving blood cancer sufferers a chance to live longer. With high profile support - from the likes of Mark Ramprakash, Charlie Brooker and David Cameron, along with a prestigious Charity of the Year award - there is no doubt

For its work in collecting these valuable registrations from King’s students, KCL Marrow won the Anthony Nolan Trust Award 2007/2008. And the latest generation of KCL Marrower’s haven’t let them down, since KCL Marrow won the award for most improved Marrow group 2011/12; drive and ingenuity is a common thread they share with Anthony Nolan at King’s. But with the Strand registration day having passed on January 28th, those of us who were not in the know may think that the opportunity has passed to contribute to KCL Marrow. However, this was only one of several registrations, so look out for more to come

in the future! You can also register from home, which involves ordering a Spit Kit, filling out a form, spitting and then waiting - days or years - for a donor in need to request a transplant. The simplicity in which this message is transmitted is probably the reason Anthony Nolan and KCL Marrow have recieved so much recognition. As a footnote in the Marrow enterprise, but nonetheless important to job-seeking students, is the work experience KCL Marrow can offer. From roles such as Publicity Officer, to Fundraising Officer, to Clinical Director, all these roles are open to King’s students who want to add that extra something to their CV. You may have noticed there is a reason why universities are the main focus for donor registrations. We’re fit (apparently), young, and hail from different ethnic backgrounds, which is imperative in most cases where only bone marrow from someone with the same ethnic background will be of any use. “I am extremely grateful to be in good health” says a KCL Marrow volunteer, Nursing student and blood donor, but adds, “if this ever changes and I am in a posi-

tion where my life, or any members of my family’s lives, would potentially be saved from blood or stem cell donation, I would definitely consider accepting it. Therefore I think it is important that I am involved in the donations as well.” This most definitely hits home. The need for a multi-racial pool of registrations cannot be emphasised enough. Take the story of Six-year-old Uzair Akhtar who has a rare genetic disorder which affects just 50 people worldwide. A bone marrow transplant is his last and only option, but no match could be found among his family or direct community, rendering his life at the mercy of a stranger’s donation. The point is that anyone in good health can register. As Charlie Brooker said pointing to himself: “You don’t have to look like a genetic splicing of a disappointed cod and Laurence Fishburne to be Fit to Spit. But it probably helps.” Well... I wouldn’t go that far. Find out more and keep up to date with KCL Marrow on Facebook and Twitter. To donate now, check out anthonynolan.org

4th February - 26th February 2013

CAREERS Mary Davies Careers Editor marydavies_@hotmail.com

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WATCH THIS SPACE PHARMACY FAIR 6/02/2012 13:00 First Floor Restaurant, FWB

HOW TO... CVs 07/02/2012 16:30 Careers & Employability Centre, The Bridge, Level 1 Macadam Building

JAGUAR LAND ROVER GRADUATE CAREERS 11/02/2012 11:00 Strand Quad

INTERVIEWS WORKSHOP 11/02/2012 16:30 Careers & Employability Centre, The Bridge, Level 1 Macadam Building

HOW TO... CVs 14/02/2012 16:30 Careers & Employability Centre, The Bridge, Level 1 Macadam Building

HOW TO... COVER LETTERS 19/02/2012 16:30 Careers & Employability Centre, The Bridge, Level 1 Macadam Building

TEACHING SCHOOL Networking Event 20/12/2012 16:00 FWB G.73 For more information regarding these events please go to: http://iextras.thecareersgroup. co.uk/rss/kingsrss

IS IT ALL JUST “WHO YOU KNOW”?

Jonny Lott

WHEN Ikea’s Edmonton branch opened in 2005, up to 6000 people stampeded into the store on its first night alone. At least 20 people were injured under the feet of shoppers who clearly had a distressing lack of furniture in their homes. This situation is how I imagine the task of starting a career in media to be – minus the low prices and Swedish nouns.

next British movie classic – and you would be right. Over 35% of all media jobs in the UK are based in London. Home to many national newspapers, production companies and not to mention (for the time being at least) the second largest mass media employer in the world – the BBC London is definitely the place to be if media is your career path of choice.

There’s something about the media world which attracts young people, possibly because we’ve grown up with the likes of television and music more so than any generation before us. Or maybe because it seems worlds away from the dreaded office admin job – sitting in front of a computer moving hundreds of numbers from this box to that box.

As I’m sure many of you are well aware, the key to getting your dream career is no longer the numbers next to your name on your degree certificate. Almost every employer now looks for experience. Many people get angry about this catch 22 – you can’t get a job without experience and you can’t get experience without a job. However, media companies such as the BBC often have work experience placements.

You might think that living in the capital gives you a distinct advantage above a sixth-former in Yorkshire who dreams of directing the

Right now in London alone, the BBC has 53 placements you can apply for, from World Service News to the Holby City script depart-

ment. Unfortunately, in the grand scheme of things, having 53 work placements is like Michelle McManus in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Facory… It’s still Just. Not. Enough. The applications are long and often riddled in bureaucracy and ethical competency. You are given little opportunity to show your passion for the field or the talent that you’ve been longing to show. And of course, with any work application these days, you’ll wait months before getting a generic rejection.

You could say “screw them”. Screw them and their heartless corporation. Screw them and their elitist segregation where everyone who works there is probably ‘a friend of my daddy’s golfing partner’. In my opinion, the best way to break into media is to do-it-yourself. Make something. Want to be a writer? Don’t run to the next Random House work experience day, just write a bloody

amazing book and throw it at as many publishers as you can. Want to be a film maker? Don’t spend years being a runner on the set of Songs of Praise, timidly telling the director your ideas for an action-thriller as you hand him his cup of tea. Create the next YouTube sensation on your dad’s digital SLR camera with those girls you know from school who so desperately want to be actresses. Want to be a music producer? Go up to your mate who’s in a band and tell him you’re going to spend every second of every day publicising his band, even if it means standing in Trafalgar Square holding a stereo above your head à la ‘Say Anything’, blasting their music until you get moved along by police. Thirty years ago, you may have been able to work your way through the ranks in media. The world is too big now. It’s up to you to take that dream of yours and shove it in everyone’s face.

MEDIA TODAY: ARE YOU IN TOUCH?

Mary Davies

PERSONALLY, I am already feeling the nostalgia of the days when we used to call each other up to arrange plans... Now it’s all about the Facebook event and the oh-so-heartfelt “Sorry can’t make it,” wall post. Oh, when walls were made of bricks and when “tweet”s were the sound birds made. Now it’s a a cyber message sent out my pitiful thirteen followers. For many sectors, especially the media, showing engagement with social media practices is now essential. Bye,

bye, print media. Hello blogs, video CVs and LinkedIn profiles. King’s Careers department will help you stay on top of the game with Media Week from 4th - 8th February.

Film, 12:00-13:00, S-1.27 Getting a job in Social Media, 13:0014:00, S-1.27 An Introduction to Radio, 17:3018:30, K-1.56

MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

Careers in Media, 12:00-13:00, K0.18 Working in Television, 13:00-14:00, K-1.56 Getting into Advertising, 18:0019:00, S-2.08

Media Alumni Panel Event, 12:0014:00, K-1.14 Young Women Working in Media Panel, 18:00-19:00,

TUESDAY An Introduction to Scriptwriting &

THURSDAY Real-Life Mock Journalism Exercise and Q&A, 12:00-14:00, S-1.11

A Career in PR - What’s involved? 18:00-19:00, K-1.56

FRIDAY How to get into Publishing, 12:0013:00, S- 2.18 Building a career in Digital Media, 13:00 - 14:00, S-1.06

For more information please visit: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/campuslife/services/careers/events/themedweeks/ mediaweek.aspx.

4th February - 26th February 2013

CAREERS

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CELIA’S TOP 10 TIPS FOR MEDIA INTERNS something to refer back to when you have questions, and you’ll impress your boss with your careful approach.

Celia Aniskovich 1. APPLY, APPLY, APPLY

6. ASK QUESTIONS (THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A STUPID QUESTION)

YOU CAN’T be a great media intern if you don’t have an internship. There’s no reason to apply to only one internship: you’ll have a better chance of landing a spot if you have more prospects. Companies are also likely to be impressed if they think they’re competing for your talent. While on the topic, also make sure you have a solid résumé and good references. You may need to change your résumé slightly for each job you apply for. Take the time to do it – it’s worth the effort. And don’t limit yourself to the internships advertised through your university. Ask around… Friends, family and past colleagues know you best and are good sources for leads.

As for questions, the general rule is to ask them. Always better that you ask for a clarification than that you to make some terrible mistake. That being said, don’t blurt out every passing thought. Think about what questions you can work out on your own. Understand that while you are there to make other people’s jobs easier, you can also make their jobs harder if, instead of working, they are spending all day explaining things to you. A good intern is one who knows how to do his/her job independently, but also recognizes when he/she needs a little help. 7. NO JOB IS TOO SMALL, NO TASK TOO HARD

2. BE PERSISTENT AND STAND OUT Just because the interview is over or your application is submitted doesn’t mean you’re done. Employers have piles of resumes to sort through. A follow up after an application sets you apart. Make sure the follow up sets you apart as someone they will like - be courteous, respectful and clear. If you get the interview, be sure to follow up with an email or phone call afterward thanking them for the chance and letting them know you’re looking forward to hearing from them. This will do two things: one, remind them of who you are and two, make it clear that you are serious about the job. 3. DON’T BE LATE This goes for the interview, your first day on the job, and everyday thereafter. There is nothing that says ‘I’m not committed’ and ‘I don’t care’ like showing up late. Avoid it at all costs. That being said, we’re all human. If you are late for some reason, don’t make excuses: no one wants to hear

them. Apologize and get to work. 4. DRESS FOR SUCCESS. AND YOUR ENVIRONMENT Dressing for success means dressing appropriately. If your supervisor tells you that everyone in the office wears jeans, don’t show up in a floor-length dress. Especially for girls: if they say no heels – NO HEELS. Many media internships have you running around and your boss will be frustrated if your shoe choice hinders your ability to do your job efficiently. As an intern, your clothing choice should

make you blend in and your work ethic should make you stand out. 5. LISTEN AND WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN Especially during the first week, there will be a lot of important information thrown at you that you’re going to have to remember for the duration of your internship. Try to listen more than you talk – you got the internship, no need to keep impressing them with fun facts about you! Don’t assume you can commit everything to memory. Bring a pen and notepad to every meeting. You’ll be glad you have

You are not famous, nor does anyone owe you anything. If they ask you to walk ten blocks to a rare magazine shop in a blizzard to find an out-ofprint issue of something that they need, don’t roll your eyes. In addition, if that particular shop is out of the magazine, don’t just give up and go back empty handed. Ask the store clerk if they have any idea where else you might find it. Use that Internet thingy that is glued to your hand to do a quick search of possible vendors close by. Employers will appreciate and notice that you went the extra mile. You don’t get to be the big shot by acting like the big shot. You get there by doing the little stuff better than everyone else. 8. ASK FOR FEEDBACK Often, try as you might, it’s hard to know if you’re doing your job correctly. So ask! Set up a time (maybe weekly) to sit down with your internship supervisor to get honest feedback about your progress, what

you’re doing well, and where you might improve. Side note: buck up and prepare to hear the bad as well as the good! You might not know it now, but this is the one place where you can learn from your mistakes without serious, long-term consequences to your career. Think of it as boot camp – if you don’t figure out why you keep slipping off the wall here, you’re never going to get it right in the field. Better to get your feelings hurt and get better than to keep fooling yourself. 9. IT PAYS TO BE NICE I interned at NBC this past semester. While I was sure to be nice to the anchors and the talent, there were others who were far more important - the security guards and the Starbucks baristas. When Tony Blair came on the show and needed refills of his double espressos “ASAP,” I called Alana at Starbucks and she stopped all of her other orders to help me out. When its crunch time and you need a favor, you’ll be happy you did something as simple as say hello to the doorman on your way into work every day. Oh, and by the way, you are one of the “little people” too… notice how it feels to be acknowledged. 10. SAY THANK YOU And, speaking of acknowledging people, say thank you (often and to everyone)! Even if the internship isn’t really your cup of tea or you don’t do so well there, some part of the internship will likely influence your future professional decisions. At the conclusion of the internship, take the time to write handwritten thank you letters to the teachers who helped you land the internship, your intern supervisor, and anyone else who you feel taught you something during your time as an intern. In today’s digital age it will set you apart and leave a positive legacy of your time there.

AN INSIGHT INTO STUDENT BRAND MANAGER ROLE Jessica Lear

be floating around the office on their last day in the training centre.

AFTER my undergraduate studies I worked for a year as an administrator for an international IT services provider that trains and employs graduates as IT Consultants. I worked in their London based training centre, and provided administrative support for the graduate recruitment team.

On a more personal level I feel that I gained a lot of valuable experience, skills and confidence during my time as an administrator. When I first left university, I was particularly anxious about getting my first full-time job, as I am sure many fresh graduates are. However this opportunity provided me with a new confidence and skill set that I believe will boost my CV significantly, placing me in a better position once I graduate for the second time.

I enjoyed my time working with the company; everyone was very friendly and passionate about what they were working on. I particularly thrived upon the moments when graduates finished their training and then found out that they had been successfully placed with a client, thus gaining their first professional job. Often they would be extremely happy hearing this fantastic news. I also looked forward to the ‘thank you’ doughnuts that would often

I then decided to pursue a Masters degree at King’s College, London. Coincidently, a job became available for a Student Brand Manager for the same company I had worked for as a graduate. It seemed fairly clear that this would be the perfect opportunity for myself. The company help fresh graduates become IT professionals and get their first job. As I had enjoyed

my time working there, I obviously wanted to keep ties with the company wherever possible. I had learnt a lot about the company and how their scheme works, so the role seemed to suit me well. Therefore I decided to accept the new position and am currently pursuing this role on campus. My current position as Student Brand Manager has been enjoyable and interesting so far. My main role is to raise awareness of graduate programme on campus.

Therefore you may see me handing out flyers, putting posters up, generally talking about the scheme to students, as well as attending careers fairs. I particularly enjoyed attending the careers fairs that took place during the first semester: during these events I informed students of the programme, answered their queries and took in their CVs. It was great to communicate with the students face-to-face. Other tasks that I also

partake in include social networking, writing blogs and conducting surveys. Therefore I am increasing my skill set while also pursuing my studies, which is great for my CV. Perhaps most of all I am enhancing my written and verbal communication skills, which are often essential for many employers.

I believe that I am not only gaining personal skills that will further my career opportunities once I graduate again, but I am also helping King’s students obtain a good start to a career in IT once they graduate. Therefore I plan to continue and intensify my activities with FDM (the company I work for) on campus now that we have entered the second semester. Check: http://jobonline.thecareersgroup. co.uk/kings/student/Vacancies.aspx for current vacancies available to King’s students.

4th February - 26th February 2013

SPORT Liam Jackson Sports Editor sports@roarnews.co.uk

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DRUG PEDALLING AND PUTTING THE BRAKES ON CORRUPTION

Alex Zietak

“WE HAVE NOTHING to hide. We have nothing to run from. I can give you one word to sum this all up. It’s credibility.” The hypocritical words of disgraced former cyclist Lance Armstrong just nine months before his retirement in February 2011 is hardly reflective of a penitent man. Is it possible to simply forgive a man who lied and cheated his way to seven Tour de France titles between 1999 and 2005, vehemently slandering and taking to court those who questioned his honesty? His eventual confession on 17th January of this year, and heroic offer to collaborate with the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and help charge other offenders is symptomatic of the 41 year old’s egotistical arrogance; a man who, according to the Agency’s Head, CEO Travis Tygart, offered to donate up to $250,000 towards anti-doping campaigns in 2004 whilst he himself was taking Erythropoietin (EPO), testosterone and growth hormones (HGH) to enhance his own performances. A man who disturbingly argues that his recovery from testicular cancer in 1997 provided the impetus for his “relentless, win-at-all-costs attitude”. It is difficult to find any ‘credibility’ in a figure obsessed with

being in the public limelight, opting to finally announce his immorality in an emotionless confession on Oprah’s Next Chapter, favouring tacky publicity over integrity.

Yet it would only serve to play into Armstrong’s own hands if we are to maintain the focus of our diatribe on the American alone. Cycling’s governing body, The International Cycling Union (UCI), and anti-doping agencies have much to answer for. The Change Cycling Now reform agency has recently condemned the UCI’s decision to shut down its own independent inquiry into the doping allegations, as indicative of “a rank and disgraceful manipulation of power by a governing body concerned only with self-preservation”. Conveniently, this now leaves the organisation bereft of any formal inquiry into the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) allegations that Armstrong had made considerable donations to the UCI to cover up any suspect sample findings. This is not the first time that the UCI have courted controversy. In 2004, journalists David Walsh and Pierre Ballester published L.A. Confidentiel: Les secrets de Lance Armstrong, containing eye-witness testimonies alleging Armstrong’s use of performance enhancing drugs as far back as 1999, forcinganti-dopingagencies intoaction.

In May 2006, however, a report from the International Cycling Union was issued, somehow clearing Armstrong’s name. It would be naïve to accept that Armstrong’s misconduct remained imperceptible to cycling authorities over the course of a decade. Perhaps this is another depressingly typical case of image preservation of the ‘golden boy’ in sport, inspired by the greed of corrupt governing bodies. Look no further than the similar, shocking revelations of drug use from tennis great, Andre Agassi, in 2009. Yet according to statistics from WADA, tennis authorities conducted just 3% of their doping control tests on blood in 2011.

It would take a worryingly long time to list all the recent alleged corruptions within sporting governing bodies, from match-fixing scandals in cricket to allegations of bribery within FIFA during England’s World Cup bid of 2018. It is therefore high time that we move away from simply chastising the individual sportsmen and women, at the bottom of a great pyramid of corruption, and address the clear crookedness of sporting institutions. It will be a struggle for cycling to fully restore its broken image, but perhaps Lance Armstrong’s case will serve as the platform to spark a much needed general reform of sport’s corrupt governing bodies.

ANDY MURRAY: A NATIONAL TREASURE OR ANTI-HERO? Liam Jackson ANDY MURRAY is a world class athlete. He takes his training seriously and reaps the rewards. Having won the US Open and Olympic Gold in 2012 he is a man in true form, praised and respected from other tennis players in the World and 3rd in the world ranking. How about his character? He is often called the most unfunny, miserable man in sport, seen in his early days throwing tantrums on the court when things didn’t go his way, with a few angry racket tosses and language you would have been scolded for by your own mother. All this asking the question of, “is this man a role model for the British youngsters of today?” On the other hand, some should look on the bright side... He doesn’t fraternise with celebrities for the sake of it, he doesn’t fall out of nightclubs, he isn’t pictured in the news doing the unfathomable like a long list of sporting stars. He has been with his girlfriend for seven years, he seldom drinks, works out like a fanatic and the man questionably a well-developed, if dry, sense of humour. Looking at the roots of his character,

we all remember the Olympics and last Wimbledon where his mother stole the spotlight for charming charisma and beautiful smile... this being as much sarcastic as it is true... Instead, sat there in the stand with a face like thunder, looking more like a teacher berating her pupil, rather than supporting her son at the peak of sporting calibre and representing a nation. Has this directly affected Murray’s seemingly lack of effort in interviews and public encounters, having only recently began putting more effort in greeting and signing autographs for fans? The public itself enjoy the chance to comment on him as one site dedicated to his nationality. For example, andymurrayometer.com contains comical statistical analysis on whether he is currently British or English, depending on whether he has won or lost. One statement read, “Andy Murray is 13% more Scottish after losing Aussie Open final.” This seems absurd and borders racist slur in the way he is viewed as either title depending on his success; since Murray can sometimes in the English press be stated as “British” if he wins, and with a loss stated as “Scottish.” This is done almost sub-consciously,

delving into people’s preconceptions of historical nationalism and pride. I myself am flooded with Twitter and Facebook updates when he plays, which portrays a real mix of emotions. He resembles the marmite of the sporting world, you either hate him or love him. For me, he is a pleasure to watch, a whole lot more entertaining and worthwhile than the Henman days, which entailed a mix of ridiculous hope and painful memories. I even find his grumpiness and normally dishevelled appearance amusing: this man is out to win, not to look good in his own branded kit and carm collective... yeah sorry for the low blow Federer - everyone envies your seven Wimbledon titles. He himself has been criticised as being “anti-English.” This is completely not true. His girlfriend, the lovely Kim Sears is English, his grandmother is half-English and he himself lives in Surrey so is hardly a man who detests all that is English. Whatever the opinion, I look forward to the coming year with hope of more Scottish/British victories. Got an opinion on Andy Murray? Tweet us at @roarnews with your responses.

4th February - 26th February 2013

SPORT

@Liam_SportRoar

KCL WOMEN’S HOCKEY: HUNGOVER AND READY TO FIGHT

Lucy Bain

HUNG-OVER, tired and in some cases still in the clothes from the night before, we probably did not scream top-class hockey club at the Fresher’s fair. Yet somehow we managed to cajole around fifty young freshers away from the menacing, gin-drinking clutches of GKT and into our club. We were really quite heartened by the amount of interest in the club and spent the first couple of weeks

holding numerous trials, mixed matches and of course ‘welcome drinks’ to give our new members a feel for KCL Women’s Hockey.

Particularly impressive was their 5-3 win over the mighty Reading, who can count English national squad members amongst their team.

The 1st XI, after a practically clean sheet last season were promoted to 2B. With a great influx of talented freshers, along with the remnants of last year’s squad, they have consequently stepped up to the challenge and proved just how much they deserve a place in the league.

The game was hard fought and often times short-tempered, with Captain Robyn Prescott getting carded thanks to some aggressive sideline coaching. Both sides tried to get the better of one another, but KCL managed to retain the upper hand until the final whistle with a particularly spectacu-

lar goal from Chloe Lyons, which had one unnamed male member of the club dying for some tekkers tips.

The team are currently sitting 4th in their league and hope that a win tomorrow (Wednesday 30th) will move them up to second or third place cementing their position within the league. The 2nd XI had a strong start to the season, with a win away to Portsmouth. The team, despite being radically different to that of last year, managed to work well together and showed immense promise. Portsmouth had brought a rather rowdy crowd to support the game, with one supporter in particular getting quite into the mood on numerous occasions; so moved by our excellent play that he seemed determined to marry one of us before the day was out. Either that or he was off his face. However, the team did not manage to capitulate on our early success and have spent the rest of the season trying to regain that original momentum. Though our first match of the New Year did show glimmers of our old self with an impressive 3-0 win over Imperial Medics. The social aspect of KCL Women’s hockey is alive and kicking with numerous successful events already under our belt. The highlight for many being pub golf, which took us around Borough and London Bridge before

ending up at the infamous Walkabout. However, few seem to remember what actually happened on that fateful night. Kudos must be given to new member and 1st XI goalie Chloe Hargroves who is now the defending pub golf champion and took to the course like a fish to water. Other notable social mentions must go to Sarah Robinson, who’s unfortunate incident with a large bag of sick left one innocent businessman with a lot of explaining to do when he got home. Recognitions go to Emma Crawley for her dedication to funnelling and strapping young Irishmen, Jess Hall for her passion for all things Asian and Georgie Grant for discovering maybe the only way to get kicked out of Walkabout. You are greatly applauded as many lesser souls have tried and failed. Women’s hockey have also continued to maintain their close links with the alumni club with as many as ten of our girls playing for both KCL and KAHC, making the annual KCLA games the perfect mix of competitiveness and fun, with nothing being more hardly fought for than the boat race and tug of war. We would also portunity to their generous has helped to

like to take this opthank KPMG for sponsorship, which fund some new kit.

KCL MOTORSPORT DESTROY UCL

Kireth Kalirai

SUNDAT 27th January marked the inaugural KCL vs UCL karting battle at The Raceway, Docklands. The best talent that the KCL Motorsport Club could muster showed up, against the arrogant and socially awkward UCL karters. They were taking pictures of themselves in the changing room. We were getting changed. They brought their own overalls, helmets, and track cameras. We borrowed second hand overalls at the track. They talked the talk, bringing drivers who are competing in the full BUKC championship (the premier league of karting in the UK). All but three of our plucky lads and lass had no championship experience, but we had the benefit of many karting opportunities at tracks around the country organised by KCL Motorsport this year, sharing cornering and braking tips with each other, getting faster and faster with each event. We were quietly confident. We let them take their pictures in the changing room, we’d get ours taken on the podium.

The format of the event was three races, A, B and C, each involving 10 minutes of as-fast-as-youdare qualifying, followed by a 30 minute race (all this for just £25 to KCL Motorsport members!).

Things started well for KCL in the “C” race, with Kireth Kalirai achieving his first pole position of the day, and Damien (known on the day as only “D-Dog”) Wong wingman in second. A confusing start then followed, whereby Kalirai forgot to look at

the lights and was comically overtaken by numerous karts before he realised the race was underway.

Nevertheless, KCL registered their first podiums of the day, with D-Dog and Kalirai coming home in a one-two finish. The “B” race was a messy affair, with numerous black and yellow flags, wildly optimistic overtaking attempts, bordering rabid support trackside, and numerous crashes. However throughout the chaos KCL shone through once again, with

BUKC prospect Rodden Romero Shaw clocking the fastest lap of the race whilst fighting his way from 16th position to finish a respectable 7th.

However, top plaudits of the B race go towards Miles Chapman (of KCL, obviously) finishing first with an absolutely storming race and winning entry into the “A” final. Qualifying for the “A” final couldn’t have gone better for King’s. KCL Motorsport Vice-President Kalirai dispelled temporarily, the myth that vice-presidents do nothing by pro-

ducing yet more one lap magic to slot his kart on pole position again, with first season KCL Motorsport Member Danny Dwyer in second, and First Team Captain and two time BUKC veteran Hussain Rashid in third.

By the end of the first corner Dwyer was in front, and led superbly for the entire race, clocking fastest lap and not putting a wheel wrong in his maiden victory. Rashid finished in second and Kireth third, making it a KCL one-two-three on the podium, locking UCL out. A great time was had by all at this event, with a party atmosphere trackside and the buzz of 45 likeminded people enjoying one of their favourite hobbies. If this sounds like your sort of thing, join us! We’re always on the lookout for people interested in cars and motorsport, fast drivers, and those who can help with organisation and social events. Search KCL Motorsport Club on Facebook now.

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