THE NEWSPAPER OF IMPERIAL C O L L E G E
UNION
ULTIMATUM SENT TO THE
PRESIDENT Solicitors A n s c o m b Hollingworth wrote the following letter to Chris Fox, President of Imperial College Union, on August 15th 1979. Malcolm Brain, Deputy President, also received a copy of the letter. Chris and Malcolm have given permission for the letter to be published in FELIX.
Chris Fox
Malcolm Brain
John Shuttleworth
"We act for Mr Shuttleworth who has referred a copy of the Union Bluebook to us together with copies of correspondence relevant to his improper removal as Editor of the Union newspaper. Paragraph 19 of the Rule Book states quite clearly that any amendments to the rules can only be incorporated into the Book in accordance with rule 19 and the Editor of t h e newspaper can only be removed from office in accordance with rule 4b. Mr Shuttleworth has therefore been properly appointed Editor and cannot be dismissed in the way in which you have purported to do. We are therefore writing to you to require you by next Monday 20th August to confirm to us in writing that Mr Shuttleworth will be allowed to continue as Editor and that his grant be reinstated. If you are unable to accede to our request then our client will have no alternative but to institute proceedings against you and the Deputy President as officers of the Union for the appropriate court order."
PHILLIPS TELLS AMERICAN STUDENTS TO STOP AID TO IRA A m e r i c a n students were told by N a t i o n a l U n i o n of S t u d e n t s President Trevor P h i l l i p s that they have a duty to step in a n d stop p e o p l e from the U n i t e d States d o n a t i n g m o n e y to para-military in N o r t h e r n Ireland. groups Mr Phillips told delegates to the first national c o n f e r e n c e of the U n i t e d States Student Association ( U S S A ) w h i c h o p e n e d o n S a t u r d a y A u g u s t 11th that there is no immediate or direct role for the U n i t e d States to play in s o l v i n g the p r o b l e m of N o r t h e r n Ireland with m o n e y f o r g u n s or by h o l d i n g ill-informed debates in N e w Y o r k . T h e 3.5 m i l l i o n s t r o n g U S S A was formed last year after a merger between America's National Student Association and the N a t i o n a l Student l o b b y there.
T h e c o n f e r e n c e took place at the Lincoln campus of the University of M a s s a c h u s s e t s in Amhurst. A three person delegation from N U S have flown to the U n i t e d States for the c o n f e r e n c e . It is the first time that there has been any official links between British a n d A m e r i c a n student leaders for over ten years. A c c o m p a n y i n g M r P h i l l i p s on the trip are N U S V i c e - P r e s i d e n t , Pete S i l k i n a n d Stuart A p p l e t o n , of the U n i o n ' s the manager International Department. B e f o r e flying out of L o n d o n , Trevor P h i l l i p s s a i d that he h o p e d the trip w o u l d result in c l o s e r links between officers of the two u n i o n s on matters of c o m m o n c o n c e r n i n c l u d i n g student grants, y o u t h unemployment and Southern Africa.
This special Edition of FELIX has been printed because there is a likelyhood that a court order may be served which could stop FELIX being
H e s a i d he w o u l d be inviting the U S S A to s e n d a delegate to the next N U S national c o n f e r e n c e to be held in B l a c k p o o l in D e c e m b e r . M r P h i l l i p s s a i d he wants the U S S A a n d N U S to initiate a joint campaign on Southern Africa next s p r i n g . T h i s will hopefully i n c l u d e c a m p a i g n s in c o l l e g e s for di si nvest ment from firms with interests in S o u t h A f r i c a , the c o l l e c t i o n of material aid s u c h as educational and medical supplies for liberation m o v e m e n t s a n d p r e s s i n g for an e n d to N A T O c o operation with countries practising apartheid. Whilst we welcome M r s Thatcher's turn about on Z i m b a b w e , N U S has a duty to keep her o n c o u r s e a n d the U S S A s h o u l d keep the A m e r i c a n S e n a t e in c h e c k .
produced. The next FELIX was scheduled for Friday September 14th. We still hope to produce an issue of FELIX on that date.
" B o t h U n i o n s must e n s u r e that s a n c t i o n s a r e not lifted until there is a settlement w h i c h puts p o w e r in the hands of the people", s a i d Mr Phillips.
On N o r t h e r n Ireland he commented: "American po l i t i c i a ns s h o u l d look to s o r t i n g their o w n p r o b l e m s out. M o r e p e o p l e d i e violently e a c h d a y in New Y o r k than i n N o r t h e r n Ireland."
M r P h i l l i p s c o m m e n t i n g on the U S S A conference said: " T h e U S S A is the biggest student u n i o n in the western w o r l d a n d N U S is the best o r g a n i s e d a n d best d e v e l o p e d u n i o n in Europe, so w e have m u c h to learn from e a c h other." Home
H M
Office
PRISON
Parkhurst Road Holloway Telephone 0 1 - 6 0 7 - 6 7 4 7
Dear Sirs, -1 am writing to you in the hope that you might be able to help us. We have searched in vain for part time teachers of science and mathematics and we are wondering if any post-graduate students might be interested in earning some extra money. The level of work is 'O' and below, often very much below. We need teachers who can express scientific ideas simply. Ideally we need people for basic science on Monday mornings, for biology on Wednesday mornings and for mathematics on Thursday mornings. The optimum would be for one person to cover all three but this is not essential. Teaching conditions are less than ideal, we would not expect anyone to take the job without due consideration and of course we would need to interview any candidates to assess their suitability for our conditions. Anyone who is interested could ring me on extension 264 to arrange an interview. The pay, by the way, for a two hour session is of the order of ÂŁ10. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully, R.M. Brown Education Officer
2
SATURDAY PROM FEVER
F E L I X has m a d e friends with d o z e n s of the P r o m e n a d e r s , w h o patiently sit o u t s i de our offices. T h e above photo, taken many h o u r s before the Saturday P r o m , s h o w s the l o n g q u e u e in P r i n c e C o n s o r t R o a d that demonstrates the s u c c e s s of the c o n c e r t s . T h i s year's Handbook Editor, Derrick Everett, b e c a m e a superstar w h e n we p l a c e d an e n l a r g e d photo, of him, in the F E L I X office w i n d o w a l o n g with a suitable c a p t i o n .
W h i l e s o m e of us listened to the P r o m o n the U n i o n B a r radio .... others w e r e i n s i d e the A l b e r t Hall after w a i t i n g forfive h o u r s or more.
"Bunny"
JANES M a y we first say h o w p r o u d we are to have been a l l o w e d a s m a l l s p a c e in this a m a z i n g s p e c t i c a l of literary g e n i o u s . O u r m a n of the m o m e n t is at the present time p o u n d i n g the streets (and if he doesn't stop s o o n his wrists will ache), gathering info to be p l a c e d hopefully in this a n d future issues of F E L I X as a p u n i s h m e n t for all w h o read it. T h e info m a i n l y is based o n p r o b l e m s of both students a n d staff (lets face it w h o else has problems) a n d at o u r expert h a n d s the pen will reap s u c h s u p e r b a n s w e r s as to stun the likes of Marjorie Proops and Evelyn Holmes. Q Dear Jane, I've been s e a r c h i n g h i g h a n d low a r o u n d L o n d o n to find a restaurant that p r o d u c e s s c i n t i l l a t i n g c o m p a n y , d i a b o l i c a l f o o d and a c i d u o u s red w i n e with bits of cork floating in it. C a n y o u help?
PROBLEM A I see y o u have a p r o b l e m here w h i c h is easily s o l v e d , may I s u g g e s t o n e of the little bistros in the IC c o m p l e x . Hall d i n n e r s have been k n o w n to fill all y o u r r e q u i r e m e n t s a n d at N O extra c h a r g e there is a cabaret c o m p r i s i n g of a l o n g m o n o t o n o u s b o r i n g s p e e c h . (How do y o u s p e l l C o m p u t e r anyway).
Q Dear Jane, M y C o m p u t e r S c i e n c e boyfriend is heavily into G a n g P u n c h i n g . What c a n I d o ? A D o i n g t h i n g s as a g r o u p c a n be fun, however, s o m e t i m e s y o u like to d o t h i n g s on y o u r o w n . I s u g g e s t y o u p u n c h h i m back on the '029'.
PAGE Q Dear J a n e , I put m y tortoise in the oven a n d a c c i d e n t l y s w i t c h e d o n . What c a n I d o ? A Stuff
If
you
it
have
(with
sage
a
problem
and
send
onion).
it
to:
Jane Landsbury FELIX Imperial College Union Prince Consort Road London SW7 2BB If you have a legal problem. She will be glad to come round and sort you out. 3
T h e Q u a d is g r a d u a l l y b e i n g t r a n s f o r m e d into the layout d e s i g n e d m o r e t han two years ago. T h e o r i g i nal plans for the redevelopment were printed in 1977. T h e d i a g r a m (on the right) was p u b l i s h e d in F E L I X No. 476, a n d we reprint it today to give y o u s o m e idea of the final layout.
I BN IG SHUUBS S 5EAN I D SPACEf" i CLM M M
T h e poor old Q u a d l o o k s in a bit of a mess at the m o m e n t . E x c a v a t i o n s have left the surface r o u g h a n d untidy. It w o u l d m a k e a g o o d film set for N A S A s i m u l a t i o n s of m o o n l a n d i n g s . O u r photo s h o w s the equivalent of the lunar rover. T h e m a c h i n e eats into the g r o u n d and s c r a p e s up earth s a m p l e s w h i c h are then piled into heaps w h i c h will form the base of the raised lawns.
,
r
AflW CLM I BO i SHRUBS & SEATN IG SPACE
T h e r e will be two grass areas a n d both will have trees, in order to i m p r o v e drainage. O n e of the more aesthetic t o u c h e s - b o r d e r s of f l o r i b u n d a roses - was d r o p p e d from the s c h e m e , a n d m e a s u r e s have been taken to e n s u r e that the s h r u b b e r y that is planted will be u n l i k e l y to tempt p e o p l e to try u p r o o t i n g it. H o l e s have been d u g to break t h r o u g h the hard surface of the o l d tennis c o u r t s that lie just below the Q u a d . T h i s s h o u l d greatly i m p r o v e drainage and will give the plants a n d trees a g o o d c h a n c e of survival. There were o r i g i n a l l y three trees in the o l d Q u a d but two died b e c a u s e they ' d r o w n e d ' in the water that c o l l e c t e d o n top of the tennis c o u r t s a n d saturated their roots.
I
BEIT
HAL!.
T h e tree that survived has served m a n y a p u r p o s e in its time; e l e c t i o n e e r i n g candidates have been photg r a p h e d h a n g i n g from it, a n d many including elected Presidents on their way h o m e from the bar, have m a d e use of it in other ways.
/ don't like Mondays To
c o i nc i de
neatly
with
this
b
y
M
a
r
k
s m i t h
odd
p u b l i c a t i o n date, I've scrapped together a montage
of
releases(misleading
the
current
film
titles c a n , o f course, lie
ignored).
F r o m T h u r s d a y at the G a t e , N o t t i n g H i l l , y o u c a n sample W o o d y A l l e n ' s latest offering M a n h a t t e n . F i l m e d i n black a n d white a n d s t a r r i n g A l l e n a n d D i a n e K e a t o n ( a g a i n ) , it is another attempt to d r a w o n personal relationships lor humour. It succeeds a d m i r a b l y , w i t h W o o d y A l l e n stealing the limelight i n his role as a m i d d l e aged J e w i s h N e w - Y o r k e r , i n v o l v e d not o n l y w i t h a 17 year o l d g i r l b u t also w i t h his friend's mistress. I f o u n d it as funny as a n y other A l l e n comedy(this is not Interiors!), but it c o u l d be considered a m o n o c h r o m e extension to A n n i e H a l l . T h i s is not a disadvantage. A film not to be missed.
A l s o d o i n g w e l l at the m o m e n t is Z e f f i r c l li s T h e C h a m p . T h i s is t h e tale o f a former c h a m p i o n boxer (John V o i g h t ) w h o attempts to m a k e a c o m e b a c k l o r the sake o f his y o u n g son ( R i c k y S c h r o d e r ) . T h e t h i r d p l a y e r i n this larger t h a n life d r a m a is F a y e D u n a w a y w h o plays the estranged m o t h e r w h o gave u p her son to become a fashion designer. T h r o u g h a series of bleary eyed break-ups a n d reunions a fairly interesting story is e x p a n d e d , b u t I ' d give this one a miss unless y o u have a w e e p y g i r l / b o y f r i e n d a n d a good s u p p l y o f tissues.
John Voight and Faye Dunaway in'T/ie Champ" •Finally, as this is the last F e l i x before it's release date, I w o u l d like to m e n t i o n a film y o u w i l l be h e a r i n g a lot m o r e a b o u t soon. A L I E N ( X , R i d l e y Scott) is a n extremely enjoyable sci-fi story w i t h a difference. I n a n attempt
to d r a w
possible,
Scott
as large a n a u d i e n c e as has cleverly
produced
a
m i x t u r e o f genres. T h e h a u n t e d house i m a g e is c o m b i n e d w i t h space h a r d w a r e as the crew of the t u g " N o s t r o m o " pursue a n incredible a l i e n b e i n g i n t h e i r huge spacecraft. T h e outstanding
feature
of
this
movie
p a r t i c u l a r is t h e s u p e r b a r t w o r k
in
invoked:
artists i n c l u d e H . R . G i g c r , designer o f the The inevitable battle, this time in a space station C u r r e n t l y L o n d o n ' s biggest money s p i n n e r is the n e w B o n d t h r i l l e r M o o n r a k e r .
A
m i x t u r e o f spy story, exotic locations a n d gadgetry,
it
sticks
closely
to
the
long
established B o n d f o r m u l a . I consider it a
Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale) in MOONRAKER
alien itself, R o n C o b b , C h r i s Foss a n d J e a n "Moebius"
Giraud
(Heavy
Metal).With
such talent i n v o l v e d I expected a great deal a n d was not d i s a p p o i n t e d . The
plot
is basically h i g h tension
from
b l e n d o l most o f the recent films, w i t h the re-
b e g g i n i n g to e n d , w h i c h m a y be a fault, but I
a p p e a r a n c e o f " J a w s " ( R i c h a r d K i e l ) further
enjoyed
e n f o r c i n g this o p i n i o n . T h e gags a r e just as
scientific inaccuracies ( w h i c h I d i d ' n t notice
c o r n y as ever a n d the gadgets s t a n d a r d , but a
at the time) the interiors are better t h a n 2001,
g o n d o l a t u r n i n g into a m o t o r boat a n d then a
no m e a n feat, a n d w i t h some superb
hovercraft
it
enormously.
Despite
a lew
filming
is too m u c h ! T h e o r b i t a l scenes
a n a i r o f menace is constantly achi eved. G o
i n v o l v i n g the space shuttle are fascinating,
a n d see it w i t h o u t a n y k n o w l e d g e o f the plot
but expect n o m o r e t h a n from the other 007
a n d y o u w i l l be surprised a n d shocked; get
stories translated ( a n d u s u a l l y transmuted)
the info from y o u r best p a l a n d spoil the story
onto c e l l u l o i d .
a n d y o u ' r e a fool! 5
NEIL YOUNG - RUST NEVER SLEEPS (Reprise) "My, My, Hey, Hey I Rock n' Roll Is here to stay, It's better to burn out I Than to fade away. That's as maybe but o n this showing Neil Y o u n g doesn't intend to d o either. After m a n y years of flirting with e x c e l l e n c e , has come up with a he masterpiece, his finest work ever. 'Rust Never Sleeps', not to be confused with the imminent movie s o u n d t r a c k to ' H u m a n H i g h w a y ' w h i c h apparently g o e s under the s a m e name, doesn't have a weak link. P r e v i o u s l y deficiencies always crept i n ; even the legendary ' Z u m a ' a l b u m had But now some deadweight. r e c o v e r i n g from ' C o m e s A Time', the most recent a l b u m , w h i c h f o u n d him d e e p in a rut. Y o u n g a s s e m b l e s the finest s o n g s he's written in recent times into a c l a s s i s set. O n e side is a c o u s t i c Y o u n g - mostly s o l o , but with s o m e a s s i s t a n c e o n 'Sail A w a y ' a n d o n e side of electric Y o u n g , with c r a z y horse, h i s b a c k i n g
band for t h e last ten years. T h r o u g h o u t there is a 'live' feel with both t h e o p e n e r ' M y , M y , Hey, H e y (Out O f T h e B l u e ) ' a n d the c l o s i n g ' H e y , H e y , M y , M y (Into T h e B l a c k ) - yes, they're the ones with t h e J o h n n y Rotten reference - obviously concert material. T h e a c o u s t i c 'My, M y ' sets the tone of side o n e with it's thoughtful m e l a n c h o l i c lyrics a n d Young's a l l u r i n g guitar work leading the way. It's a bitter s o n g : "It's o u t of the blue a n d into the black / T h e y give y o u this, but y o u pay for that / A n d o n c e you're g o n e y o u c a n never c o m e back / W h e n you're o u t of the blue and into the b l a c k . " A wonderful tale of the rock n' roll lifestyle w h i c h after radical c h a n g e s reappears to c l o s e side two.
so real it makes the Eagles look like complete amateurs.
s c i e n c e s l a s h e d the pearly gates / It was then I knew I'd had e n o u g h , b u r n e d m y credit c a r d for fuel / .. With o n e - w a y ticket to the land of truth a n d my s u i t c a s e in my h a n d / H o w I lost my friends I still don't understand."
T h e m u s i c o n this side is the driving force, the lyrics are c r e a m on the cake. T h e rock rhythms g o this way a n d that, h o w l i n g c h o r d s a n d s t a c c a t o guitar work that defies belief. 'Welfare M o t h e r s ' M y current favourite, " m a k e better lovers", s i n g s Y o u n g , a d d i n g a s o l o that is truly beautiful. But no let u p a n d straight into ' S e d a n Delivery', the riffs of w h i c h power towards a s t u n n i n g c l i m a x a n d into 'Hey, Hey, My, M y (Into the black), almost u n r e c o g n i s a b l e as the o p e n i n g tune. It's Y o u n g e s t a b l i s h i n g himself as the K i n g o f R o c k n' R o l l . "It's better to burn out c a u s e rust never sleeps / T h e king is g o n e but he's not forgotten."
' P o c a h o n t a s ' , the first track on side two, is about the attrocities suffered by the R e d Indians in the frontier days. " T h e y killed us in our tepee / A n d they c u t o u r w o m e n dow.n / T h e y might have left s o m e babies / C r y i n g o n the g r o u n d . " It's s a d b u t n o t sentimental, tender but not embarassing.
The electric, electrifying, u p t e m p o side 2 features 4 of the most riveting rock tracks I've heard. 'Powderfinger' has Y o u n g playing a youthful b a c k w o o d s boy facing a g a n g of cut-throat 'Thrasher', a s o n g of the o l d rapists s a i l i n g up the river to pillage the isolated settlers. H e is ways being s w a l l o w e d up by the new, b u i l d s slowly, Y o u n g ' s v o i c e a l o n e a n d "just turned twentyfull of e m o t i o n a n d s u p r e s s e d two." A m a n d o e s what a man has anger. " W h e n the aimless blade of to d o a n d dies in the process. It's
This a l b u m is perceptive, m e l a n c h o l i c , realistic, d y n a m i c a n d s h o u l d be at the t o p of any s h o p p i n g list. B u y it and benefit. J o n Firth often in a jazz setting. ' F a l l i n g in Love with Love' is an e x a m p l e of an often overlooked number which suits t h e jazz idiom beautifully. With t h e a d d i t i o n of Fats Waller's 'Jitterbug Waltz' a n d a real live 12 bar, O s c a r ' s o w n ' H o g t o w n blues', there is fun for all the family. A c o u p l e of bal lands are i n c l u d e d , 'I get A l o n g Without Y o u Very W e l l ' and 'Emily'. I f o u n d them far t o o protracted a n d r a m b l i n g , but there are p e o p l e w h o like s u c h things. T h e other track I d i s l i k e d w a s t h e D u k e of Ellington M e d l e y , w h i c h just s o u n d s disjointed, a n d really serves no p u r p o s e . T h e track that I w o u l d single o u t as being quite excellent a r e 'Sweet G e o r g i a Brown,' 'Jitterbug Waltz', ' H o g t o w n B l u e s ' , a n d 'Pennies F r o m Heaven', despite the totally unnecessary, rambling solo piano intro of t h e sort that P e t e r s o n seems to favour.
A l b u m Review "The London Concert" by D a v e J a g o A
film
review
of
It was so far fetched that even an A c t i n g F E L I X E d i t o r ' s i m a g i n a t i o n c o u l d not rival its i n c r e d i b l e imagery.
P h a n t a s m w a s fun to w a t c h but not brilliant. Its trial release in East A n g l i a points to g o o d box office receipts w h e n it is s h o w n at the Eros, P i c c a d i l l y (starting o n S e p t e m b e r 13th).
O n e of the reasons that O s c a r Peterson's p l a y i n g h a s never particularly a p p e a l e d to me is that he seems to play with a c o m p l e t e lack of e m o t i o n . T h e i m p r e s s i o n has been fueled by w a t c h i n g him p l a y i n g h a p p i l y away to an enthusiastic audience in the safety a n d comfort of h i s o w n television chat s h o w . It is a well known fact, amongst we traditionalists at least, that the best jazz c a n o n l y be played by pennyless, homeless, unloved ('My baby d o n e left m e ...') d o w n a n d outs, preferably o n the verge of c a t c h i n g p n e u m o n i a o r going insane. O n this d o u b l e a l b u m , however, r e c o r d e d live at the R o y a l Festival H a l l last year, Peterson quite excells himself, p l a y i n g with a s u r p r i s i n g fire and passion
H a v i n g s a i d that, p e r h a p s I had better m a k e it clear that this is not just a r e c o r d of O s c a r Peterson a c c o m p a n i e d by bass a n d drums, but of a trio in the proper sense of the w o r d . A l l three instruments take an equally important part in the p r o c e e d i n g s . L o u i s B e l l s o n , o n d r u m s , is k n o w n to many t h r o u g h his work with big bands,
6
a l t h o u g h he is in fact no stranger to s m a l l g r o u p p l a y i n g . H i s drumming is a l w a y s well c o n s i d e r e d , a n d his short solo spots manage to be totally s t u n n i n g , whilst r e m a i n i n g fully integrated within the m u s i c a l context. T h e d r u m c h o r u s e s in 'Sweet G e o r g i a B r o w n ' have to be h e a r d to be believed - n o b o r i n g extended e g o trips here! J o h n H e a r d , o n bass, p r o d u c e s a m u c h grittier, a n d to m y m i n d better, tone than d o e s N i c k w h o is Petersons Peterson, regular bass player. Heard's b o u n c y , a n g u l a r style matches the fluancy of the piano lines beautifully. Peterson himself, of c o u r s e , plays with sheer t e c h n i c a l genius. T h e rendition of 'Sweet G e o r g i a B r o w n , ' o n e of the s t a n d out tracks o n t h e a l b u m , is n o t h i n g short of incredible, a n d the e a s e with w h i c h he c h a n g e s from style to style, b o u n c i n g from stride into b e b o p in the s p a c e of a few seconds, is s o m e t i m e s breathtaking. A s to c h o i c e of material, we are presented with a w i d e s e l e c t i o n . The album combines standards s u c h as 'Ain't M i s b e h a v i n ' ' a n d 'Satin D o l l ' with s o n g s heard less
T h e quality of t h e s o u n d is rather g o o d for a live a l b u m , as one w o u l d expect from t h e R F H A u d i e n c e noise is kept to a minimum, a n d t h e bass in particular is m i x e d very clearly. A slight hiss is clearly a u d i b l e on the quiet s e c t i o n - hopefully this will not be carried over onto t h e production copies.
A
This r e c o r d s h o u l d please both e s t a b l i s h e d Peterson fans and the general listening p u b l i c alike, and may well w i n over a few like m e ÂŤwho, till now, have been a bit wary of this man's p r o d i g a l talent on the g r o u n d s that he uses it with t o o little e x p r e s s i o n .
Romeo and Juliet at the Old Vic T h i s is a new p r o d u c t i o n of R o m e o a n d Juliet performed by the newly f o r m ed Old Vic C o m p a n y . A l l n e w ventures have teething p r o b l e m s a n d this is no exception. The performance lacked a certain d e g r e e of p r o f e s s i o n a l i s m to lift it a b o v e a play y o u w a t c h a n d forget. T o start with, w e w e r e sitting at the front a n d s o w e r e d i s t u r b e d by s e e i n g the cast a n d s t a g e h a n d s b e h i n d the s c e n e r y a n d by noise of shifting p r o p s . T h e b e g i n n i n g w a s bad - there is n o other w o r d for it! W e sat m u n c h i n g o u r fruit pastels as the c u r t a i n rose but were rather c o n f u s e d w h e n the h o u s e lights r e m a i n e d o n . T w o actors b e g a n to stroll a r o u n d at the back of the set a n d s e e m e d as b e m u s e d as w e
were a n d to a d d to this m u d d l e d scene, the v o i c e of the stage m a n a g e r c o u l d c l e a r l y be h e a r d . T h e set, too, w a s a little s u r p r i s i n g ; it c o n s i s t e d of a m o v e a b l e gantry a n d a pair of curtains which were positioned noi si ly for e a c h scene and r e m i n d e d us m o r e of the setting for J a i l h o u s e R o c k than the city cent re of V e r o n a . T h e play b e g a n with a fight a n d this was indicative of the s c e n e s to follow; n o i s y a n d fast. Indeed, s p e e d s e e m e d to be o n e of the o n l y c o n s t a n t c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of the play! However, there were some redeeming features,in p a r t i c u l a r Ian R i c h a r d s o n ' s portrayal of M e r c u t i o . H e piayed the part with the maturity of a s e a s o n e d S h a k e s p e a r e a n actor,
b r i n g i n g just the right a m o u n t of h u m o u r to this tragedy. H i s d e a t h w a s rather overacted but still fitted in w i t h his c h a r a c t e r a n d the play as a w hole. Robert Putt, as Peter, a n d B a r b a r a Jefford, as J u l i e t ' s nurse, a l s o a c t ed their parts well a n d merit a s p e c i a l mention.
Scene r u s h e d after scene (were they t r y i n g to finish before last orders o r w e r e they w o r r i e d about the tube strike?) until the lights went d o w n after the great Capulet / Montague re c o n c i l i a t i o n leaving the c u p of p o i s o n o s c i l l a t i n g back a n d forth o n the stage.
O n e w o u l d have e x p e c t e d the lovers, M i c h a e l T h o m a s a n d J a n e t M a w , to have been " s t a r r y - e y e d " but these t w o y o u n g players seemed u n a b l e to give the p e r f o r m a n c e required of them in s u c h a part a n d this, a b o v e a l l , detracted from the play. J a n e t M a w l o o k e d the part a n d gave all s h e h a d in it but s o m e h o w s h e l a c k e d the n e c e s s a r y p a s s i o n a n d Michael Thomas the same problem.
I think the faults w e r e in the p r o d u c t i o n rather t han the a c t i n g a n d the p o o r b e g i n n i n g ( i n c l u d i n g not b e i n g a l l o w e d to enter the a u d i t o r i u m until 20 past 7) put the a u d i e n c e off. However, the performance s h o u l d mature over the next few nights a n d it is a g o o d evening's entertainment.
Mo and Tansy
Tales of the Unexpected - Frank The Undertones Marino & Mahogany Rush (CBS) - The Undertones (Sire) If y o u i m a g i n e D e e p P u r p l e with C a n d i a n a c c e n t s a n d without the mastery of J o n L o r d o n k e y b o a r d s , then y o u have quite a c l o s e a p p r o x i m a t i o n to M a h o g n y R u s h . T h e m u s i c o n this a l b u m relies very heavily o n reptition of b a s s chord sequences;, with very slight variations i n t r o d u c e d at approximately half minute intervals. 'Tales of the U n e a x p e c t e d ' is half live a n d half r e c o r d e d in the studio, a n d a l t h o u g h the b a n d s reputition has been built o n its live performances around Canada a n d the U . S . , the s t u d i o s i d e of t he a l b u m is far s t r o n g e r t h a n the Live s i d e . But it is easy to i m a g i n e that the m u s i c w o u l d s o u n d better p l a y e d about t e n times l o u d e r t h a n it need be in a s w e a t y a n d s m o k e y c o n c e r t hall. T h e m u s i c i a n s h i p o n this L . P . is very g o o d in parts - m o s t l y the parts p l a y e d by Frank M a r i n o himself, w h o plays lead guitar a l m o s t like it w a s part of his body, a n d his s y n t h e s i z e r p l a y i n g is c o m p e t e n t . H o w e v e r if t h e other t w o m e m b e r s of t h e b a n d , P a u l H a r w o o d o n bass a n d J a m e s A y o u b i , d r u m m e r , have half the talent of M a r i n o they don't like to s h o w it, as their part in the m u s i c is just k e e p i n g a steady but b a s i c b a c k - b e a t for the lead guitar to o u t s h i n e . B u t t h e n this might be
the fault of M r M a r i n o in the writing, s i n c e h e h a s written s i x out of t h e eight t r a c k s o n the album. S a d l y , t h e t w o t r a c k s most w o r t h y of further s c r u t i n y are the two cover v e r s i o n s o n the s t u d i o side. T h e first b e i n g D y l a n ' s ' A l l Along the Watchtower'.You Jimi Hendrix's remember v e r s i o n ? W e l l this in the s a m e vein but, p r e d i c t a b l y , not s o g o o d ; a n d if c o v e r i n g o n e of H e n d r i x greatest is inviting c r i t i c i s m t h e next s o n g o n the r e c o r d is ' N o r w e g i a n W o o d ' by L e n n o n a n d M c C a r t n e y , this is p e r f o r m e d in a very different w a y to the o r i g i n a l a n d p o s s i b l y better t han the Beatles version, with the e x c e p t i o n of the vocals. Definitly Maghogony R u s h ' s v e r s i o n is m o r e interresting a n d has more c o n t e n t t han that of the Beatles. T h e best o r i g i n a l s o n g in this set is t h e title track, w h i c h c o n t a i n s m o r e variation t han a n y of t h e others, with s o m e very nifty guitar work a fast beat but e n o u g h c h a n g e in lead i n s t r u m e n t a n d t e m p o to keep the interest of the listener, p a r h a p s t h e o n l y track o n the a l b u m c a p a b l e of d o i n g so. Mahogany R u s h have not m a d e m u c h of a n i m p r e s s i o n o n B r i t i s h heavy r o c k e r s a n d I'm sure that this is not the r e c o r d to break t h e m o v e r here. I s h o u l d give this a miss.
I return from the sweaty m a s s of e n t h u s i a s t i c M a r q u e e p o g o e r s with m y ears still r i n g i n g . T h e U n d e r t o n e s 'live' definately have to been seen a n d heard to be believed. O f c o u r s e g o o d live performers d o not always fare well on d i s c but t w o w e e k s later w h e n I listen to this n e w a l b u m it s o u n d s just as fresh a n d innovative. T h e U n d e r t o n e s have e v o l v e d from punk a n d , with a d m i r a b l e ease, n o w play the best m o d e r n p o p of this age. If y o u think I'm e x a g e r a t i n g c h e c k out this a l b u m . S u r e they have a few r o u g h edges, s o m e t h i n g not quite right here o r there, but they're learning fast. Despite their naive a p p e a r a n c e they've got it pretty well s u s s e d out. H a i l i n g from Derry, N o r t h e r n Ireland, the 'tones s i n g vividly of the insecurity, l o n e l i n e s s a n d y e a r n i n g of a d o l e s c e n c e . T h e y m a k e their point with breatht a k i n g e c o n o m y ; straight to the heart of the matter a n d after imparting their undoubted w i s d o m the s o n g ends. It's as
s i m p l e as that; fourteen t r a c k s in just half an h o u r a n d e v e r y o n e a potential hit s i n g l e . B u t it doesn't s o u n d t h r o w n together, it flows from o n e j u i c y o b s e r v a t i o n to the next. Y o u t h is o n their s i d e - a g e s r a n g i n g between 18 a n d 21 - a n d if this is what the debut a l b u m turns up I c a n h a r d l y wait for more. Each song - I could mention t h e m all - s t a n d s o u t e x c e p t ' T r u e Confessions' which received a raunchier treatment o n the 'Teenage Kicks' E P . the staggering rhythm guitar a u g m e n t e d by more detailed work from the lead guitarist serve as a foil to Fergal S h a r k e y ' s c a r e e r i n g vocals. T h e s o n g s are short, powerful, d a n c e a b l e a n d don't even have a c h a n c e to get b o r i n g . I c o u l d go on ad infinitum a n d still not c o n v i n c e y o u but m y m e s s a g e is this:- it's a g o o d a l b u m , get it a n d enjoy y o u r s e l f (or others) with s o m e of the best m u s i c a r o u n d today.
J o n and Karen
REVIEWS 7
EDITORIAL
T h a n k - y o u for helping with this issue:
T he last Editor of FELIX, J o h n Harris, came up from Windsor to see how I was getting on. When he read the front page of this issue he said, "John Shuttleworth has gone over the top this time." I have little more to add to that comment.
Jane Landsbury Derrick Everett M o & Tansy J o n Firth & Karen
It was unfortunate that Mr Shuttleworth failed his exams. I would have enjoyed working with him if he had become Editor. Mr Shuttleworth has sought help from Sheyne L u c o c k . S h e y n e lost the election for ICU President and also, like Mr Shuttleworth, had academic problems. Now Sheyne and his Liberal friends have helped Mr Shuttleworth start legal proceedings.
lan C o x o n ( N U S ) Chris Fox Malcolm Brain Dave J a g o Mark Smith Steve Marshall lan Morse
Colin Palmer (Acting FELIX Editor)
Pat Leggett For a change I have selected /ESOP's fables to one of complete this back page. It is taken from a book published in 1887 and was p r o d u c e d by the Caldecotts and the drawing is by J D C o o p e r .
THE R
J
HERE
HORSE
A N D T H E STAG.
was a H o r s e w h o had a meadow a l l to h i m s e l f u n t i l
a S t a g came and began to injure the pasture. eager to way
p u n i s h the
S t a g , asked a m a n whether
of c o m b i n i n g to do this.
The Horse,
there was a n y
" C e r t a i n l y , " said the M a n , " if y o u
don't object to a b r i d l e a n d to m y m o u n t i n g y o u w i t h j a v e l i n s i n my
hand."
T h e H o r s e agreed, a n d was m o u n t e d
but, instead of
b e i n g revenged on
a servant to the M a n .
the S t a g ,
he
b y the himself
Man; became