February 2019

Royal Holloway’s Academic Restructuring from Faculties into Schools CASSANDRA LAU

Plans to restructure current Faculties into Schools were approved by Council in November last term. Meetings between departments, the Students’ Union, and the college have been organised this term for further enquiries into the transition. An anonymous source has confirmed that the Heads of Schools have already been hired, and plans to cut down on personnel have been made.

The Students’ Union have confirmed that they are in full support of the transition. According to Jack O’Neill, VP Education from the Students’ Union, “The move to schools will, theoretically, bring consistency across the college to allow for

less variations between departments.” He explains that “administrating staff in departments, currently, vary greatly in responsibilities and resource and this restructuring will be lifting some responsibilities out of this level in order to free up time to do the [things] they’re designated to do.”

However, this academic restructuring – or this lifting of responsibilities – will have a devastating impact on “professional service colleagues who provide administrative support to departments, as the process has been designed to cut costs by slimming down personnel” states the Royal Holloway UCU blog.

Continued on p. 2

Photo via Royal Holloway Website

Index News..................................................................................1 Features..............................................................................5 Opinion And Debate..........................................................6 Lifestyle.............................................................................8 Arts: Arts And Culture.....................................................10 Arts: Literary Reviews.....................................................13 Arts: Film.........................................................................16 Arts: Music.......................................................................19 Sports................................................................................21

Facebook.com/HarbenLets Twitter.com/HarbenLets

Galentine's Day p. 8

Uni Reading p. 13

Student Victory p. 22

2 NEWS Continued on from front page At a meeting, Deputy Principal Professor Katie Normington assured concerned staff that they would be offered alternative positions at the college. However, whether it be a sloppy job done by

the college or departments, staff members have not only been offered jobs below their qualifications, but have had their jobs advertised.

To protest the academic restructuring of administrative staff and reduction of student facing roles, the Media Arts held a departmental meeting early this week on 11th February at the Shilling

THE FOUNDER February 2019 Lecture Theatre. The aim was to bring welfare issues to staff members’ attention.

The ‘upgrade’ to the Schools system will place Royal Holloway on par with most other universities, and bring about a more sustainable structure

The Founder Board 2018 - 2019 Editor in Chief Cassandra Lau Managing Editor Zahra Hussein

Royal Holloway joins £20m research hub on South-South migration, inequality, and development

Designer Helena Keeble Online Content Editor Tom Conlon Cartoonist Jack Waters News Editor Iffah Ahmed Deputy News Editor Sindhooraa Satheesh Opinon and Debate Editor Nicholas Ross

GCRF Logo SINDHOORAA SATHEESH

Researchers from Royal Holloway have joined a research team examining the relationship between migration and development in developing nations. This team has received funding from the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Group’s Global Challenges Research Fund to explore South-South migration and the movement of people within developing nations.

This type of migration accounts for up to half of all of international migration, with that figure increasing to 70% in some

regions. However, the benefits provided by such migrants have been overlooked, resulting in limited and unequal rights for them. The research team, headed by Heaven Crawley, Professor of International Migration at Coventry University’s Centre for Trust, Peace, and Social Relations, aims to create a Hub to document the experiences of these migrants. The hope is that by mapping and recording the experiences of these migrants, greater awareness can be raised regarding the challenges that they face.

Said Dr Harindranath “The Global Challenges Research Fund is a major priority for

Royal Holloway; and I am delighted and honoured to be able to support the School of Management and the university in this regard.

“The scale and scope of the GCRF funding means we have a unique opportunity to work in close partnership with researchers and practitioners from around the world, on a complex and challenging topic of global significance, over an extended period of time.

And this of course presents significant potential for impact.”

Arts & Culture Editor Molly Williams Film Editor Graciela Mae Chico Music Editor Charlie Catmull

Lifestyle Editor Kyrie Roxby

Literary Review Editor Rachel Farguson

Features Editor Cassandra Lau

Sports Editor Frankie Christou

Arts Editor Mimi Markham

Deputy Sports Editor Jack Wright

The Founder is the independent student newspaper of Royal Holloway, University of London. This means we are not affiliated to the student union or the college. We pride ourselves on our investigative journalism and aim to keep our readers up to date with news on and off campus. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Editor, particularly of opinion and debate pieces. Every effort has been made to contact the holders of copyright for any material used in this issue, and to ensure the accuracy of its stories.

To book ad space in The Founder, contact our managing editor at managingeditor@thefounder.co.uk.

THE FOUNDER is printed in Cambridge by Iliffe Print

NEWS 3

THE FOUNDER February 2019

Pioneering study into female offenders finds more than 64% of women with a history of brain injury

Ana Jablonska, Emily Glorney and Serena Wright SINDHOORAA SATHEESH

On 6th February, Royal Holloway University, in collaboration with the Disabilities Trust and funded by the Barrow Cadbury Trust and the Pilgrim Trust, launched the results of a pioneering study examining the relationship between brain injuries and criminal behaviour in women. This study also examines the implementation of a support pathway to manage health, cognitive, and behavioural issues that can affect one’s return to criminal behaviour.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are widely known to be overrepresented in prison populations; and this is linked to an increased risk of violence, greater number of convictions, earlier age of first incarceration, mental health problems, and greater number of attempts

at suicide. This indicates that those with TBI who are imprisoned require different types of care, which is not provided at adequate levels currently, resulting in increased numbers of reoffenders.

The Disabilities Trust carried out a pioneering study from 2016 to 2018 by providing a Brain Injury Linkworker Service in the Young Offenders Institute (YOI) Drake Hall to provide dedicated assistance and specialist support to the women who had a history of acquired TBI. These workers aimed to provide sustainable support to these women, to rehabilitate and assist with the transition between being in custody and reintegrating into society.

Information provided by the women to the service indicates that there were 196 reports of severe head

injuries, and an alarming 62% of these women indicated that these injuries were from domestic violence. 47% of these women had been in an adult prison five or more times, and 33% of them had sustained their injury prior to their first offence.

The data provided clearly indicates the necessity of a female Linkworker to support them cognitively and mentally to greatly assist in their rehabilitation process.

To conclude this study, the Disabilities Trust calls for: The inclusion of brain injury screening as a routine part of the induction assessment on entry to prison or probation services • All prison and probation staff to receive basic brain injury awareness training • The provision of brain

injury support; similar to the Brain Injury Linkworker (BIL), in prisons and probation settings • Assurance that brain injury support would be aligned with gender-informed practice • Further research to be conducted to examine the potential effect of brain injury on re-offending behaviour, how effective neurorehabilitation can contribute towards the reduction of recidivism and the role of early intervention approaches.

The Chief Executive of the Disabilities Trust, Irene Sobowale, says that: The Disabilities Trust is delighted to launch this research, which builds on over five years of research into male offenders and brain injury. For the first time in the UK, we have considered the specific needs and experiences of female offenders, who are some of the most vulnerable in the criminal justice system.

The personalised service which we have developed, supports women dealing with the impact of their brain injuries, and independent evaluation from the Royal Holloway University London agrees that our Linkworker service within HMP & YOI Drake Hall recognised the gender specific needs of women.

There is much more work to be done to ensure that women with a brain injury are provided with effective support to ensure that they can engage in rehabilitation programmes and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.

The Disabilities Trust looks forward to working with partners and Government to achieve this.”

Below is the case study of

one of the participants.

Case study of Linkworker help: Kylie* While completing a brain injury assessment with Kylie, she reported she had been in a serious road traffic collision and was unsure of the details of what happened to her and what treatment she’d had.

With Kylie’s consent, the Linkworker requested her medical records and reviewed the information. During this review, the Linkworker wrote a summary of her medical records with a list of recommendations for staff in light of Kylie’s disability.

In a one-to-one session, the Linkworker went through the information with Kylie to increase her insight into her injury and associated symptoms.

The Linkworker emailed a copy of the medical review and recommendations to staff that work closely with the female offender to make them aware of her disability and how they can adjust their approach to cater for her disability. Prior to this, staff were unaware of Kylie’s brain injury.

Due to information in the medical review she was moved to St David’s House and into a single cell where she is getting on much better.

The quieter environment allows her to concentrate more, she is now able to complete her own canteen sheet which is something she has not been able to do previously. She is feeling much more settled and happy which has increased her ability to engage with the prison regime. *name changed

4 NEWS

THE FOUNDER February 2019

Doctoral Training in Cyber Security receives more funding SINDHOORAA SATHEESH

The UK engineering and physical sciences research council is renewing support for the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Cyber Security at Royal Holloway.

A total of 75 centres received this funding, which extends to physical science fields such as quantum engineering, medical imaging, and offshore renewables. A grand total of £444m, and an additional £2.2m from the Natural Environment Research Council has been allocated to these centres.

The academics involved are Professor Keith Martin (Director), Professor Carlos

Cid (Deputy Director), Professors Peter Adey, Lizzie Coles-Kemp, Peter Komisarczuk, and Drs Dan O’Keeffe and Martin Albrecht.

Director of the CDT at Royal Holloway, Professor Keith Martin, commented that: “We’re thrilled to be given the opportunity to develop further cohorts of PhD cyber security researchers at Royal Holloway.

“Our existing CDT has been extremely successful, attracting outstanding students and helping to develop strong relationships with industry and government partners.

“One of the undoubted

highlights of the existing CDT has been the ability to develop cyber security research projects which cross traditional disciplinary borders. This new CDT has an extended scope in this regard, focusing on both the social and technical aspects of cyber security, and we look forward to working with researchers across Royal Holloway to supervise projects within its remit.”

Focus on the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) sector is essential to the progress of the nation, and it is a key part of the UK government’s Industrial Strategy. These

measures enable all sectors to embrace innovation; and will also increase the number of highly trained cyber security experts in the UK. Minister Chris Skidmore, the Minister of State for Universities, Research, Science, and Innovation, said: “As we explore new research to boost our economy with an increase of over £7 billion invested in R&D over five years to 2021/22 – the highest increase for over 40 years – we will need skilled people to turn ideas into inventions that can have a positive impact on our daily lives.

“The Centres for Doctoral Training at universities across the country will offer the next generation of PhD students the ability to get ahead of the curve. In addition, this has resulted in nearly £400 million being leveraged from industry partners. This is our modern Industrial Strategy in action, ensuring all corners of the UK thrive with the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow.

“As Science Minister, I’m delighted we’re making this massive investment in postgraduate students as part of our increased investment in R&D.”

FEATURES 5

THE FOUNDER February 2019

Interview with Father John: Royal Holloway’s Catholic Chaplain a Catholic professor from Kingston who is gay and was very happy to come to RHUL to talk to our students about being gay in the Catholic faith. It was a joint event between the Catholic Society and the LGBT+ Society here on campus.

That kind of thing is important because it’s clearly a question that lingers. People feel hurt and feel rejected and all that.

But, that’s not what we’re about here.

Royal Holloway's Chapel MICHELE THEIL

Earlier this academic year, Michele Theil interviewed Royal Holloway’s Catholic chaplain, Father John.

Theil delves into intriguing questions about faith and its relationship with current debates. The interview sheds light upon the love, understanding, and acceptance encouraged by the church. It is an incredibly important piece that ought to be shared in a time hungry for tolerance.

Here are snippets of Theil’s interview: Are there denominational rivalries nowadays?

I don’t think so. I think that denominational rivalries are a thing of the past, to be honest. It doesn’t mean that everyone agrees of course - they don’t because there are significant differences between us. But I think what we aim to do is everything that we can do together, we do. And where we can’t, we can’t. It’s important because the statistics at university are something like 30% of students would say they’re religious and of that, Christians represent something like 24.5% with Catholics representing around 10% of that. So, relative to what people say, it’s a small group. But, they make a significant impact on the feeling of the place:

which is that everyone’s welcome. That’s what it’s all about. But, it’s also about educating people to show that Catholics and Christians are not crazy or demented or people who are really strange. When actually they’re ordinary and have parties, and do fun things just like everybody else.

And yeah, one of the things I’ve done is take Founder’s Choir to the church where I help on a Sunday and they do a couple concerts and raise money for their choir tour in the summer. A lot of them have never been in a Catholic church so it’s really great for them and they have a lot of fun. That’s a big part of the job of chaplain: educating people and showing people what they haven’t experienced or seen before.

What would you say to someone who might be religious, or grew up religious, and are now trying to find their place and don’t know if Christianity or Catholicism in particular is going to be accepting of them? For instance, if they were gay?

That’s always been part of our job, to welcome people to the church. It’s supposed to be an open door to welcome everyone and we have done that. There’s

What would you say to someone who is using Christianity to justify bigotry and bigoted views?

I think one of the things we’ve got to realise is that everyone carries with them levels of insecurity and I think that everybody, whatever background we have, has their own hangups.

Anybody without baggage isn’t human. And I believe, like a lot of those things, you might think those views in theory but if your best friend is gay and wants to get married, it can be a different story. For most people, it’s something they’ve just never experienced. So it all seems terribly strange and frightening. It’s important that we’re here and we say, as we do, that we have to respect each other and everyone’s cultures. The fundamental thing of Christianity is that we believe that God’s spirit is in everyone and it’s up to them to do what they think is right for them. Of course, that doesn’t mean that everybody agrees but we have to agree to respect each other. Everybody is doing their best under the circumstances that they live in and that kind of education is what we’re all about.

Do you think there might be a little bit of a stigma for young people nowadays if they identify themselves as religious in general or as practicing Christians/

Catholics in particular?

I feel like that is the case, that actually people like - have you read The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins? - people like him basically says that people who believe in God are deluded. And it seems to be a way for liberal people to believe they are unprejudiced but they’re actually prejudiced against religious people. So, they could not like Muslims and predicate it on the fact that they’re deluded or misogynists and all the rest of it. Or they could say that Catholics are all paedophiles or something. It’s easy and often not thought through. I think it’s difficult for young people to feel like they can explore their religious faith.

You know, I’m very limited, but I like who I am. I’ve got prejudices, like everyone else, but being happy in who you are is a great message to others. Also, I’m happy to talk to everyone, I don’t care at all.

You’ve long been an advocate for LGBT people being able to get married here at RHUL, can you talk a little bit about that?

We’re nearly there with that, I think we’re getting to the final stages of getting approval for it to happen.

I suppose that the reason actually comes from the Book of Genesis: one of the first lines, one of the first things God says is that it’s not good for humans to be alone. I think that loneliness is the most crippling and destructive thing to happen to people. And many gay people feel really isolated and alone and have absorbed homophobia into their hearts and minds and I think that this feeling of rejection and loneliness is one of the reasons that people in the gay community don’t have relationships for very long because, actually, they’re quite insecure about

themselves. Actually, if you think about it, to help people have stable relationships and to have the confidence to have someone else love them is a great thing - whatever else you think of them. It’s really important for them to have that. For a university that’s committed to inclusion and, actually, has this spectacular chapel that was intended to be inclusive from the beginning (RHUL’s founder prevented sectarian exclusion), I think it’s very important to allow gay people to get married at RHUL’s chapel. And, I have many friends who are gay and are married and are very happy. Before that, they had very rough experiences and so, I’m thinking, this must be a good thing.

What would you say to someone who might feel like they’ve lost their faith and are struggling to find it again?

Everyone comes with baggage. If you think about Jesus crying out on the cross (My God My God why have you abandoned me), it’s one of the strangest things to see in any religious text - to see that the Son of God has said that God has abandoned him. So, it seems to be a part of people’s life experiences where they go through really dark patches and at the heart of it is this sense of rejection.

He also cries out “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” as this kind of questioning of “How do you get through this period of anger and darkness?” And the answer is forgiveness forgiving yourself, forgiving other people etc. It’s important to help people who are struggling and listen to their struggles. We’ve got to realise that terrible things happen and that people feel really bitter and hurt by it, but we have to help them move on and move through the pain towards resolution, acceptance and growth.

That’s what we’re about.

6 OPINION AND DEBATE

Mixed Martial Arts

THE FOUNDER February 2019

Brexit impact 2019: Top 3 UK Property market predictions EVELYN KAIL

Uncertainties surrounding Brexit are expected to deepen after Theresa May was unable to secure a majority vote in parliament for the Brexit deal.

It is possible that some of the trends that were noticed in the UK property market in 2016 following the referendum, may continue in the present.

Here are some of the predictions for the UK property market – before and after the Brexit deadline of 29 March 2019.

Photo credit Haste LeArt V. NICHOLAS ROSS

Mixed Martial Arts (henceforth MMA) is a combat sport continuously growing in popularity and involvement, in which fighters often end up unconscious, whether as a result of body parts being smashed into their heads or after having had the blood supply to their brains restricted by chokeholds. Sometimes bones and joints break and there is the occasional death in the octagon (the equivalent of a ring in boxing).

Of facts such as these people might be quickly concerned, overlooking the good in the world this sport achieves, associating its cagefighting participants with thuggish savagery.

But for the necessity of knowing self-defence in our world, MMA is a great sport; it is superior

to most other sports and martial arts which claim to train people how to hold their own in dangerous situations. At my first karate class as a child, an instructor alleged to be teaching me the best way to block during a knife attack. Needless to say, the false sense of security with which I fear other young students left the class raises serious question about the ethics of delusional, ineffective martial arts.

And competitions between aikido practitioners and wrestlers have shown consistently that the former martial artists require their opponents to behave in certain ways if techniques like wrist locks are to have any effect. I also had a brief flirtation with taekwondo. The black belts, though flexible with their legs, showed no sign of competent self-defence while sparring each other.

What MMA has achieved over decades is having

filtered out all its competitors whose martial arts styles do not work except under conditions convenient for them. In the early UFC events Royce Gracie used Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to beat opponents much larger than him whose training in other styles and combat sports Gracie nullified. Now Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a fundamental part of all successful cagefighters' training, in addition to boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and wrestling. By its nature MMA is a sport which has fighters become used to facing infinite possibilities during unarmed combat. It is a combat sport in which people can train at any level.

Anyone can choose to spar only lightly in an MMA gym in order to practice fighting for self-defence situations without having much risk of injury. And they will not leave an MMA gym confronting lunatics waving weapons.

Rent is likely to go down in some areas In areas where many properties are currently let to European migrants, several properties may come on the market in clusters if the tenants return to their native countries.

This sudden increase in supply may drive down rents in the short-term. Student rental properties are also likely to come into the market in higher numbers.

London estate agents; however, may not see the same trend. In London, the demand for rental properties remains steady. Commercial properties continue to find corporate tenants. EU citizens continue to look for residential rentals, which bodes well for landlords.

Any fall in number of migrants looking for accommodation is expected to last only for a few months after Brexit goes through. As businesses resettle, workers are likely to return to work in the city.

House price growth likely to continue even in a cautious market With Brexit looming, the first quarter of 2019 is expected to be difficult. According to the RICS, properties are taking longer to sell. House prices could drop immediately after Brexit, especially if European property owners choose to sell.

Local buyers could take advantage of the price drop.

This could drive up transaction volumes.

Volumes are currently low because buyers have adopted a wait-and-see approach. Eventually, both price growth and transaction volumes will stabilize. Even now, UK housing prices continued the usual trend of rising in the spring and hitting a plateau in summer. Year-onyear price growth is slow but discernible.

Outlook for construction may be grim While the impact of Brexit on existing properties may last only for the short-term, construction is a different story. New developments and renovations face several challenges as skilled migrant numbers from EU could decrease. Import of materials from the EU will also be impacted and could lead to a price rise. If construction slows down, the government’s housing targets cannot be met.

Infrastructure spending may also be affected. The European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund have invested over 8 billion Euros in infrastructure projects in the UK. Civil construction is likely to be impacted if these funding streams are altered. While alternative funding sources could be identified, the government will likely introduce several cuts in spending. This will ultimately impact housing development and government-assisted mortgage schemes. PostBrexit trade agreements with the EU will need to address these major concerns.

At this moment, it is impossible to say with certainty what the exact impact of Brexit on the UK property market will be. Only after 29 March, as markets settle, can a more definite picture emerge.

THE FOUNDER February 2019

OPINION AND DEBATE 7

Swipe right (or left) for your GP On Royal

Holloway’s System ‘Upgrade’

Emily Wilding Davison Building Photo of app logo MALIHA REZA

Love lives have long become digitalised. With the emergence of dating websites in the 1990s, dating culture evolved. Tinder and the action of swiping left or right to express interest now dominate popular internet culture. However, love is not the only thing websites, and apps cater to– from our health to ancestry- there is an app or website for every need.

2008 set the precedence for ‘apps’ as Apple launched its ‘Apple App Store’ – with its competitors following soon after. In the early stages, apps were limited to e-mails services and calendar, usually appealing to business women and men. However, consumer demands led to the development of games and, now, apps that control every aspect of your life.

Technology has gone insofar to replace face-toface interaction. With apps offering health and fitness advice at the tap of a screen, some people are opting out of NHS waiting times and sharing their ailments through a screen. Others are choosing to keep track of their fitness and health through smart watches, Fitbit or relying on built-in health functions in

CASSANDRA LAU

smartphones. Such devices aim to keep you informed of your calorie count and steps per day, it also has a lesser-known and unintentional ability to flag up irregularities in heart rhythm, which had directly saved lives by alerting the person before their condition deteriorated.

For the most part, these apps are tried and tested.

The NHS recommends the app, Babylon GP at Hand, with the official website stating: “you will be able to get NHS prescriptions and free GP consultations.”

The app requires you to change GP practices to one covered by the app, with the entire process taking weeks to complete. There is no indication of what to do if the app is down for maintenance, or if the system has been rolled out across pharmacies for you to benefit fully. The locations are particular and are yet to benefit a large group of people.

Transferring such facilities to an online platform or through an app runs the risk of isolating those without smartphones or access to the internet.

While it will take time before our access to health

care becomes entirely digitalised, the notion of an app replacing face-to-face interaction with a health practitioner has gained appeal, fast. Simply put, the move towards digitalising prescriptions mostly appeals to computer and app literate people – many elderly patients opt to collect regular prescriptions, and the move to a solely paperless system could impact them negatively.

While we should be aware that we live in an increasingly digitised era, we should not have to worry that face-to-face consultations could be removed and replaced or supplemented by apps. The NHS is already under strain, and it would be detrimental to outsource patients to apps, that are not always regularly monitored.

As advanced as technology may be, there is a large room for error, which could put lives at risk. Our ability to control and gain advice on our health and eating habits is essential, however, we must understand that sources that may not be professionals easily edit apps and sites.

So, with caution, swipe right (or left) for advice from your GP on an ailment.

The ‘upgrade’ to the Schools system will place Royal Holloway on par with most other universities. Summing up the difference between the current Faculty system, and the soon-to-be Schools system: A Faculty is a body of professors, lecturers, and researches who research and pass on knowledge to students; a School is an establishment comprised of Faculties and students.

For instance, typically a School of Humanities would include the Department of History, Classics, English, and Theology. This means that instead of having an administration office for each of the departments listed above, there would be one.

For certain, the Schools system would help the college cut costs which could be invested elsewhere, and there would be greater communication and opportunities for collaborations and interdisciplinary study for staff and students. Jack O’Neill, VP Education from the Students’ Union, explains that the “university is [currently] operating with 21 different processes and systems which simply isn’t sustainable for parity across

the institution, nor for the student experience.”

However, like most transitions, the one from Faculty to School will be a rocky one considering how the college has been going about it. The first problem is, the reduction of differing processes and systems which is basically a reduction of staff; secondly, the blank promise of reallocation for staff members. Last but not least, the lack of transparency and representation in the college’s decision.

Ultimately, such a significant structural change should be made clear to both staff members and students. There is a lack of information made available to both parties, which obviously helps stall but defers conflict. And the lack of sufficient representation for departmental staff – those who will be affected the most – is concerning to say the least. Realistically, issues from both staff and students should be raised and addressed to ensure the success of the new system – at least beyond theoretical success.

Clearly, the intention is good, but the same cannot be said about the execution.

8 LIFESTYLE

THE FOUNDER February 2019

My Experience Galentine’s Day: Only our best fake holiday or yet another cheesy Interning at a Magazine American Hallmark scam?

ISABELLA HAIGH

Galentine's Day meme KYRIE ROXBY

February 13th, the day before Valentine’s, is the non-official holiday celebrated as Galentine’s day: a day to spend getting together with all your lady friends and commemorating your friendship. Galentine’s, much like friendsgiving, is an invented holiday twist from the otherwise betterknown Valentine’s day.

If you watch Parks and Recreation, you might know of this creation.

Galentine’s day was invented by the character Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler) in the TV show Parks and Recreation, who explains that it is: ‘oh, only the best day of the year. Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style’. While created as a running joke on the show, it has turned into an annual political

celebration of feminism and female empowerment, with its strong message of ‘ladies celebrating ladies’ - a day of celebrating your platonic loves.

However, the New York Post condemned Galentine’s, calling it the old ‘“Mistress day”, when unfaithful men take out their side chicks, leaving Feb. 14 for wives and girlfriends’, going on to say: ‘celebrating female friendship is great, but tying it to Valentine’s Day reeks of an opportunistic marketing ploy’. Which let’s be honest, both are.

Advertising companies are going to try and cash out on as much available marketing as they can for any reason, but that’s no reason not to celebrate either day in your own way anyway! Embrace the cheesy message, reject the commercialised scam.

While only a few years old, compared to Valentines’ Centuries, Galentine’s is still nonetheless making

a trend and name for itself.

And as it’s the day before V-day, those in a relationship can still partake in whatever festivities are planned.

Whether it’s going for brunch, making waffles, exchanging thoughtful gifts, hosting a Galentine’s evening or going out; Galentine’s is a great excuse to get together with your friends and celebrate each other.

It is getting increasingly popular to exchange gifts with those friends you spend the day with. However, unlike Valentine’s day, this shouldn’t be a day you have to stress over what to buy as gifts; turning up with wine or snacks will be more than enough if your friend is hosting something.

Whatever the reason for Galentine’s: your friends provide the consistent love, support and socialising you need in your life. They deserve a day to celebrate that.

When you think about working for a glossy magazine, images of the popular show Ugly Betty might come to mind. For me it certainly did, especially because I was working in swanky new offices in Leicester Square at Hearst Publications who produce your favourite magazines from Harper’s Bazaar to Cosmopolitan. I was lucky enough to work on the features desk for Prima, Red and Good Housekeeping.

It was a real insight into the world of journalism but also into the less glamourous aspect of working in an office (which let’s face it – after a lifetime of being in education, it’s a bit of a shock). Luckily enough, the Hearst offices are a hub of creativity; you can almost hear the brain energy as the team goes about their work, constantly creating new content for magazine editions three months in advance.

Overhearing conversations about possible A-List celebrity contestants for future magazine covers was intriguing, as well as listening in on ideas for stories and features. I learnt a lot from just observation.

I don’t live in London so getting used to the train journey into central everyday took some getting used to.

I had money saved up for travel expenses (the internship was unpaid) but getting up at 7am every morning and travelling in the freezing cold was tough. Travelling on the Underground at peak time was as you would expect – busy.

But, weirdly enough, I enjoyed the commute to London. The hustle and bustle of London commuters was exciting. I didn’t know what to expect when I first turned up, but I was soon given work to do like transcribing interviews or researching interesting topics that would be featured in the magazine. I was also asked

to write an article for Red Online. One time, I went to the Good Housekeeping headquarters not far from Leicester square to do a chai (tea) and couscous tasting for GHK ‘approved’ stamping.

The thing about working in London is that in some cases it does play up to its stereotypes – it can be lonely.

People seemed to go off and do their own thing at lunch time. In the office, while there was little chatter, most of the time the writers were busy… well, writing. But I guess that’s the dynamics of an office (very different to the group section in the Davison Library).

But, all in all, it was a fantastic experience. As I sat on the stone steps of Trafalgar Square during my lunch break, the sun was setting and the music from street buskers was playing in the air, mixing with the lively chatter of Londoners.

I thought this is maybe the start of an exciting career in journalism. I opened Red Online on my phone and saw my article on actor Jameela Jamil had been published – with my name on it! It was a proud moment. I went back into the office feeling a bit like a writer – until my manager asked me to go sort out the post which quickly snapped me back into my role as an intern.

Despite the early morning starts and the long working day, it had all paid off. My name was out there. The three things I took away with me from my work experience would be: one, say ‘yes’ and embrace all the tasks you are given (within your limits); two, make connections because this will help with future work opportunities and it will put yourself out there. And three, don’t underestimate yourself – you’re more capable than you think!

LIFESTYLE 9

THE FOUNDER February 2019

Alcohol: Do We Know When Enough is Enough?

Photo credit Isabella Mendes EMILY WRIGHT

In December 2016. Ed Farmer, a regular first year student, went out for an ‘initiation’ ceremony at Newcastle University. Four o’clock the next morning, Ed was found with his head shaved, in cardiac arrest with just a two percent chance of survival. The events of that night and their tragic ending raise the question to all of us in higher education – when is enough really enough?

With over 1 in 5 students saying they are teetotal and 1 in 10 students being aware of responsible drinking campaigns at their universities it would seem

that Ed’s death was a tragic fluke. However, the same NUS study of 2,215 students found that 70% of students drink to fit in with their peers and a substantial 79% of students agree that getting drunk is an expectation of university culture.

Whatever your stance on alcohol we can all agree that at Royal Holloway we are particularly limited in terms of easily accessible bars and clubs. A local night out consists of the SU or a cheeky pub crawl around the delightful establishments of Egham and Englefield Green. But is it all too easy to get complacent about the risk of alcohol poisoning and

would we know how to spot the signs?

Charities like Drinkaware have produced lots of information about spotting the signs of alcohol poisoning.

The main symptoms include: confusion, vomiting, pale skin (often tinged blue), low body temperature, irregular breathing and unconsciousness.

More concerning are the myths about how to deal with people in this state. Firstly, activities such as ‘making them throw up’ or ‘take a cold shower’ are extremely dangerous as bodily functions concerning homeostasis and gag reflexes are extremely delayed. This means that the

person risks hypothermia and inhaling vomit into their lungs – both of which can prove fatal. Secondly, Drinkaware insists, do not give them coffee as it may dehydrate them further. But lastly, do not leave them to ‘sleep it off’. Many of the 360 fatalities from alcohol poisoning last year were a result of patients continuing to absorb more alcohol into their bloodstream as they ‘slept’. As was the case with Ed, symptoms can increase significantly during the course of a few hours whether the patient is conscious or not.

So, what should be done in these situations? Firstly,

try to keep them awake and sitting up as this can help you monitor if their symptoms are getting any worse. Secondly, get them to drink some water in small sips and make sure that they are warm. Thirdly, if they are unconscious put them in the recovery position and monitor their breathing. If their symptoms get any worse seek medical assistance.

By following the advice of leading charities and doctors we can make sure that nights out remain a fun and safe student past-time. For any extra information on how to look after someone you are worried about see the Drinkaware website.

10 ARTS & CULTURE Clare Waight-Keller: A Mother, A Fashion Mogul, and an Inspiration

THE FOUNDER February 2019

Alexa Meade: Ariana Grande’s Body Paint Artist

Alexa Meade Artwork SVILENA IOTKOVSKA

Photo credit Richard Grassie TIA HUDSON

The rise of feminism is a movement that has continued to inspire young women to reach their full potential and to strive for the best. Within the past year, Clare Waight-Keller has proven herself to be an admired, respectable and accomplished female icon due to the incredible role she plays in the fashion industry, along with her natural gifts as a designer.

2018 was a remarkable year for Waight-Keller, and 2019 appears just as promising. It is exciting to see how fashion is able to evolve under her influence and direction.

Fashion has always been a central element of WaightKeller’s life. After studying at the Royal Academy of Art, the stylist’s hard work and determination became apparent, as she began working with major brands such as Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Calvin Klein, and Gucci. Before her current job at Givenchy, WaightKeller was the Artistic Director of Chloe for six years, and managed to ‘effortlessly mix a graceful and feminine flou with a

free-wheeling and boyish take on tailoring’ according to the brand’s president Geoffory De La Bourdonnaye. Her experience in fashion is endless, hence the choice of appointing her as the Artistic Director of Givenchy was obvious, and wise. She has also made history by being the first female to hold the position.

Clare Waight-Keller’s career has included a multitude of unique, outstanding, and phenomenal moments. It can be argued that the most significant and impacting moment would be her work in designing the wedding dress of HRH The Duchess of Sussex, on a day that will go down in history.

It was here that the world saw the talent that Waight- Keller possesses as a designer, in particular the Duchess’ veil which included flowers that each represented a country within the Commonwealth.

Kensington Palace also chose to release a statement praising the designer stating: “Ms Markle chose to work with [Waight-Keller] for her timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour”. This was an unforgettable moment for Waight-Keller, and the

experience will always give her respect within the industry.

Givenchy’s Spring 2019 collection has exceeded many expectations this year.

The line is undoubtedly fascinating. It was inspired by Annemarie Schwarzenbach, a cross-dressing woman who spent the majority of her life dressing as a man. Due to this, the entire line can be categorised as unisex. Some pieces are distinctly female, but there are multiple pieces including the reoccurring baggy trousers held up by a large belt that would suit both male and females, just as Waight- Keller has presented with the models in her show. Blazer jackets and shirts are also a regular feature in this year’s spring collection. The focus on cotton and silk added with the bold primary colours make the clothes fit in to an office environment sphere, and can described overall as smart casual.

Clare Waight-Keller is an inspiration to all young girls and women around the world. She is proof that hard work always pays off, and I wish her nothing but success for the future.

Alexa Meade, the illustration artist and genius behind Ariana Grande’s painted body in the music video for ‘God is a Woman’, has created a novel and unique form of art. Rather than creating art to depict the world around us, Meade uses the world around us to depict art. In other words, she takes our three-dimensional space and the bodies that lie in it, and uses them to create a twodimensional world. Her art is therefore always breathing, alive and dynamic as she paints on human bodies and objects.

In her 2013 TED talk, Meade shared her story, saying that her dream had never been to become an artist, but that she had only discovered her passion for art shortly before graduating with a degree in Political Science. Her art stems from a focus on the absence of light and how it affects the way we perceive our surroundings. When painting on people and objects, she focused on painting the shadows and highlights in order to create an illusion of a two-dimensional painting rather than a threedimensional body. One of Meade’s most fascinating and novel techniques of painting include immersing a

human body in a tub full of milk, usually vegan, in order to create a swirl of different shades of colours as the paint melts off the body and into the white liquid.

This technique is used in Ariana Grande’s music video of ‘God is a Woman’ as she is shown nude, covered only by brushstrokes of paint, swimming in a pool of milk with swirls of pink and purple shades. In an interview with TED, Meade explained some of the difficulties she faced, particularly with Grande’s long hair: ‘Real hair in milk doesn’t look appealing; it looks like hair in your soup.’

Meade had to find another way to create the effect she desired; that is, instead of Grande’s hair, Meade braided and painted a rope which was then attached to Grande’s real hair. If one looks closely at the cover of Grande’s single ‘God is a Woman’, paying close attention to her braided hair, it is easy to see that it is in fact a rope and not her actual hair.

Alexa Meade’s popularity has risen greatly in recent years and is continuing to grow even more rapidly following her brilliant work with Ariana Grande. The different kinds of projects she has undertaken can be explored (and marvelled at) on her website: www. alexameade.com.

THE FOUNDER February 2019

ARTS & CULTURE 11

Smartify app brings smartphone technology into the Picture Gallery

Poetry Corner JACK WRIGHT

Husk I spy humanity washed up

on blacksand beaches breathless sunk with regret and hungry like

Reed Smartify app at work

I dare you distinguish me

MIMI MARKHAM

from the waxworks the manuscripts

Visitors to the Picture Gallery can now discover more about Royal Holloway’s Victorian artwork collection with a scan of their smartphone. Smartify uses advanced image recognition technology to identify the artwork and provide the user with its historical and artistic context.

‘We are thrilled that the College’s famous Picture Gallery has joined the global community of museums using Smartify, from London to Singapore to Honalulu,’ says Imogen Tedbury, the Picture Gallery’s Assistant Curator.

‘Smartify is simple.

You hold your phone up to scan a painting and your smartphone’s camera recognises it. Like magic, the artist and title pop up on your screen, and you can read all about your chosen artwork.

The company founders call it “Shazam for the art world”!’

The Picture Gallery’s Grade I listed interior,

including its original Edwardian wallpaper, means the artwork cannot be accompanied by interpretation labels. This has proved difficult when visitors wish to find out more about the artwork.

‘Smartify is a wonderfully elegant and unobtrusive solution to this longstanding conundrum!’ says Tedbury.

With Smartify, visitors can learn more about the artwork while enjoying the gallery’s historic picture hang and interior.

‘The app brings the gallery into the twentyfirst century and makes the paintings more accessible,’ says Jade, a second-year English and Classics student.

The Picture Gallery is home to the notorious Landseer painting ‘Man Proposes, God Disposes’, which, as legend has it, must be covered every exam season to avoid bringing bad luck to students. It also houses Frith’s iconic ‘The Railway Station’ and Millais’

famous ‘The Princes in the Tower’. Later this term, Edwin Long’s ‘Babylonian Marriage Market’ is set to return to the gallery after conservation work.

‘The gallery is a nice place to relax after studying,’ says Poppy, a third-year Classics student. ‘It is well worth a visit.’

Next term, the gallery will close for exam season, so make sure you pay a visit soon to try Smartify. We found the best way to use the app is to zoom in on smaller details of the paintings.

Large-print guides are also available for visitors without smartphones.

The Picture Gallery is open between 10am-3pm on Wednesdays during the autumn and spring terms.

Every week at 2pm there is a short talk by a student volunteer about one of the pictures in the collection, lasting five to ten minutes.

Smartify is available to download for free from the App Store and the Google Play Store.

the velocity of dragonfly wings

you couldn’t even imagine.

You’ll never know, but ask your greatgrandkids in a few afterlife.

Love, little eyes.

skimming across reservoir puddles and back again and in between.

Day 6 I feel my body wasting away I can see my shoulders real shoulders for the first time in months and a bone at my elbow juts out like a scarab dug under my skin eating me inside out from within

12 ARTS & CULTURE

THE FOUNDER February 2019

The Shows That Stay With Us Cam (American Country Music Singer and Songwriter) EDWARD WILLIAMS

Cam sings from the heart, and the intimate venue of the Shepherd’s Bush empire gave her the perfect space Photo credit Donald Tong MOLLY WILLIAMS

Some performances stay with us. It’s hard to say why – perhaps it’s the people we go and see them with, or the songs we listen to on the way home. It could be the actual show itself, of course.

When I was at secondary school, I took a coach on a school trip to the National Theatre. Whilst most of us wore clothes from the casual end of ‘smart-casual’, there was a boy in my class, we’ll call him Steve for the sake of anonymity, who’d decided to embrace the ‘smart’ with every fibre of his being. The threepiece-suit he’d wear to prom the following summer made its debut on the Southbank, as we sat down in the theatre to watch a production of Shelagh Delaney’s A Taste of Honey.

The staging was as bold as Steve’s fashion choice that evening, in which a rotating block of flats twisted to reveal the dark alleyways behind.

As an audience, we were consistently reminded that the

flat did not exist in isolation from the world around it. Maybe I remember the performance so well because of the striking set design. Perchance, it was Steve’s poor evaluation of the dress-code. I am certain, however, that the performance has stayed with me for the past five years partially because of the coach journey. In the two hours there and two hours home again, Kanye West’s ‘Bound 2’ was played uninterrupted.

Every “Uh-huh honey”, was prefaced with someone shouting, “a taste of”. I was bound to remember that evening.

Through years of school productions and questionable karaoke nights, I asked a group of undergraduates which performances have stood a foot above the rest for them. These are the shows that have stayed with us.

Pygmalion (Play) ANNA ROBERTS

The best show I have ever seen was a production of Pygmalion in a local theatre in Dublin. It was performed in the round, almost immersive and audiences were allowed – they were encouraged to come in with their pints and enjoy a great piece of Irish literature on stage. What I particularly enjoyed about this production was not just the plot, a

scathing satire on social class and what it truly takes to be a ‘posh woman’, but the fact that the audience was of such diverse social background that you could tell that amongst seasoned theatre pros there were people who could clearly be seen as first timers. Shaw’s effortlessly easy dialogue allowed for it to be an enjoyable performance for all.

to express it. With songs such as “Village”, written for her best friend when her brother passed away, and the song that made her

famous “Burning House”, the audience hung to that crisp touch of emotion that makes Cam special.

Book of Mormon (Musical) ROBIN ASHDOWN

Turn up to the Book of Mormon. It is truly amazing.

Off anyone’s scale. Like

naughty humour and you’ll love this. A true masterpiece that leaves you laughing till you cry. Light fills the stage showing the intricate set and costumes. Switch your

next musical visit to this and I assure you, you will not be disappointed.

The Importance of Being Earnest (Play) TABITHA WILLIAMS

There are few things in life that never need fine tuning.

Most of the things we love are, unfortunately, victims to time. However, one play seems immune to this curse: The Importance of Being Earnest.

Oscar Wilde’s wonderfully

sharp play acts like welloiled machine. It needs no fanfare or gimmicks to make it shine. It is this subtlety that the Wycombe Swan’s production, starring Corrie’s Nigel Havers, understands. The subdued set shifts effortlessly from lounge to garden, never grabbing at your attention,

leaving Wilde’s incredible wit at centre stage.

Even decades after its initial conception, Earnest’s biting satire of the social classes never feels stale. The hilarious misadventures of Algernon and the cast are still every bit as entertaining as they were in 1894.

Miss Saigon (Musical) DAN LOOSELEY

Any theatre production, be it the West End or the back room or your local pub, must either make you smile or make you cry.

Good shows do one of these things, but great ones do both, and no show that I’ve seen has done this better than Cameron Mackintosh’s 25th Anniversary revival of Miss Saigon, which played the West End in 2014 and is currently concluding its tour around the UK. The show tells the story of American GI Chris and orphaned barmaid Kim as they fall in love against the backdrop of the Vietnam war. Perhaps it’s in part because this story is based on

an opera (Puccini's Madame Butterfly) that the emotional impact of the show is so great - opera is known for being an incredibly emotional art form after all. Add to this the beauty of Schoenberg’s score, which is easily up to par with his most popular musical Les Misérables, and you have a recipe for success.

If you haven’t already, take a listen to the New London Cast Recording - I guarantee you’ll find a new favourite in there somewhere!

Whilst each of the show’s individual elements stand out in isolation, the show’s beauty comes in the way in which all these elements work together to tell such a powerful story. From the moment you hear the

helicopter ‘fly over your head’ in the Overture right through to the concluding gong of the final number, the show has you on the edge of your seat, entirely invested in the stories of the characters on a deep emotional level - something that is surprisingly rare in most musical productions.

It is this unity and emotional connection that makes this production of Miss Saigon the best theatrical piece I’ve ever had the pleasure to witness.

I challenge anyone not to smile as the love affair blossoms, and not to cry as the show reaches its dramatic conclusion - just don’t do what I did and make sure you remember the tissues.

THE FOUNDER February 2019

LITERARY REVIEW 13

Reading Around Reading: How to Fit Reading Around Busy Study Timetables

Photo credit pixabay.com MERCEDES-GEORGIA MAYES

As we age and life hands us more responsibilities, it can be harder to fit in some of the smaller pleasures in life – particularly when it comes to reading. Amidst the flurries of academic texts that seem to take up far too many hours, we often forget books can be fun. So how can we fit good old-fashioned reading for enjoyment into our hectic timetables?

I will tell you: 1.

Start off small. War

and Peace, while brilliant, is not ideal light reading.

If you have a burning passion to read something so extensive, perhaps check your ambition until the summer. In the meantime, start with something small, a book of poetry or a novella, and something you are confident won’t be a chore.

The last thing you want is to add to your study time by tackling an account of the manufacturing process of watches. Unless that appeals to you, of course.

2.

Set aside time. If

you want to read, you have to make time for it. Wake up an hour earlier or read during your lunch break. The ideal outcome is that you can read enjoyably without eating into your scheduled study periods. It shouldn’t be a chore, but if you really want to read something put it first; Netflix will still be around when you’ve finished.

3.

Use your phone. I am the last proponent of digital books. I much prefer holding a hefty tome and gently flicking through the pages, but it can be incredibly useful

for getting through books no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Having a digital copy of a book means you can read whilst waiting for your bus, whilst on a long train journey, or even at a particularly boring party.

As well as this, the digital world grants access to audiobooks, which are even more handy for travelling or, if you’re brave enough, for multitasking.

4.

Set goals. This could put you in the mindset that reading is a challenge, but it helps to have a clear idea

of what you want to read and when. It could be something as small as a couple of pages or as large as the entire book in one sitting; the power is in your hands, but it helps to set a limit so that you know when to stop as well as when to start.

5. Read. Once you’ve found the book, the time, and the means, commit yourself.

There is no easier way to get hooked than to start reading and to remember why you wanted to read in the first place.

14 LITERARY REVIEW A Slight Ache/The Dumb Waiter: A Match Seller Made in Heaven

Photo courtsey of Rachel Farguson John Heffernan and Gemma Whelan initially The penultimate instalment of portray voice actors, and The Jamie Lloyd Company’s later Edward and Flora Pinter at the Pinter season themselves as physicality increasingly continues to uphold the becomes significant.

However, we remarkably high standards set by the preceding productions. still cannot forget the radio A Slight Ache/The Dumb play: Whelan provides live Waiter features two plays that sound effects throughout. are broadly quite different, The comedy of the earlier linked by a tonal shift and, scenes falls away the moment that Edward oddly, matches. notices the match seller, A Slight Ache opens with whom the audience cannot husband and wife, Edward and Flora, discussing the names of see. The entire show is the flowers growing in their undercut with a palpable garden in noticeably affected anxiety and, at times, voices and having their genuine fear, that passes breakfast ruined by a wasp. seamlessly from Heffernan The arrival of said wasp reveals and Whelan’s characters two things: the comedic aspect into the audience. This of this piece, and the play’s play had me constantly liminal position as both radio thinking and constantly play and theatre performance. trying to interpret, right up These revelations, in turn, to the moment when the illuminate the true quality of lights dropped to signal the end of the interval. this season of theatre.

The Dumb Waiter easily Originally written as a matches – no match-selling radio play, the set of A Sight related pun intended – A Ache features an ‘ON AIR’ sign, while the clock on the Slight Ache in both staging wall displays the precise time and performance. Ben that Flora first mentions in the and Gus, two hit-men script. Time – the passing of respectively portrayed by which Edward fears according Danny Dyer and Martin to many interpretations of the Freeman, sit in a dilapidated impatiently play – is very intelligently basement awaiting the orders for utilised: the clock continues to move in real time while the job they are currently the play moves forward more undertaking. We similarly rapidly, indicating a schism begin here with comedy: between levels of performance. Gus’s repeated questions RACHEL FARGUSON

THE FOUNDER February 2019

Calling a Wolf a Wolf Review

Book cover artwork go continuously unanswered by an increasingly irritated Ben. The performance walks an incredibly fine line between audience awareness and dramatic irony, and navigates it expertly. We never know more than Gus, but exactly as much as him (which is often considerably less than Ben): we know only that something is wrong. The standard of accommodation is noticeably lower than usual; Ben stopped the car on the way to their shady destination; Ben will do little more than instruct Gus to make tea; somebody upstairs is playing games with them; Ben misses the step that instructs Gus to pull his gun on the person they are to kill.

And yet, the comedic strand of The Dumb Waiter holds out until the end as the two men try to meet the demands of the order tickets that keep arriving in the basement, scraping together the contents of Gus’s bag. The resulting laughter, however, serves only to magnify the uneasiness that is perhaps the third link between these two incredible plays full of incredible performances.

While I saw this show in previews, Pinter Seven is now open and running only until 23 February – catch it while you can!

SASHA SMITH

Kaveh Akbar’s Calling a Wolf a Wolf, a collection of confessional poetry, explores the tumultuous relationship between the author and addiction, taking a tender approach not often seen. The book is split into Terminal, Hunger, and Irons, spanning the highs and lows of his addiction.

Addiction is something I have rarely seen in real life, often being a shaky subplot in the background of a soap opera that’s solved within a few episodes. Akbar’s collection appears to offer the reality of addiction.

Addiction is not linear or romantic, and Akbar walks this line very carefully.

His poem ‘Do You Speak Persian?’ explores the effects of addiction not only on the individual, but on their family and friends, who naturally suffer alongside them.

Persian is the author’s first language, but he poignantly shows how his addiction has taken over the lives of others as he loses aspects of his first language. He talks of not being able to remember words like ‘home’, ‘lonely’ or ‘light’. The expressions he can remember are those he hears from his family:

‘I miss you, are you still drinking?’ Fear and pain are almost audible in these expressions, translated from Persian to English for the reader. Words fall out of use for him, but those that he can still understand are those that are used most often.

The poems are rich with beautiful imagery. The first poem in the collection, ‘Soot’, compares addiction to God, ‘disguised as rust, chewing away a chain link fence or mariner’s knife’, and describes those that are taken by addiction as ‘like lovers undressing in front of each other for the first time’.

Akbar doesn’t ever say that recovery is easy, and his frankness is so refreshing to see. His poems are filled with struggle, and they are not afraid to show weakness, which we are so often told to hide. ‘Portrait of an Alcoholic with Craving’ shows the reader that addiction is a battle that is never won: it will rear its head every now and then.

‘I’ve lost the unspendable coin I wore around my neck that protected me from you’; ‘If you could be anything in the world / you would.’

But, while addiction may be a battle that can’t be won, Akbar shows us that this doesn’t mean it is lost.

THE FOUNDER February 2019

LITERARY REVIEW 15

Sally Rooney’s Conversations with Friends

Book cover artwork JACK WRIGHT

You may not have heard the name Sally Rooney before, but I can almost guarantee that you’ve seen her most recent publication, Normal People, in the front windows of bookshops for the past few months. The familiar green hardback was stacked high in The Winding Stair, perhaps the quaintest bookshop in Dublin. I opted not for Rooney’s awardwinning follow-up, but for her slightly more studentbudget friendly debut, Conversations with Friends.

The Irish-born Rooney, only 27, writes with incredible lucidity. The occasional brief foray into highly intelligent prose or political debate occurs only when necessary. Her writing is wonderfully digestible and the story remains consistently engaging

throughout.

The novel’s plot revolves around the narrator, Frances, a 21-year-old Trinity College Dublin student who performs spoken-word poetry with her best friend (and exgirlfriend), Bobbi. The two meet a woman named Melissa, a journalist and photographer, who, taking a shine to the students, invites them over one evening.

It is then that Frances meets Melissa’s husband Nick, a rich, talented, and particularly handsome actor.

What ensues is described in the blurb, rather excellently, as a ménage à quatre.

Rooney’s novel excels in so many ways that, for the sake of brevity, I would like to pose the simple question: what does she do best? The construction of characterisation in the novel is effortless. Bobbi is perhaps the best example.

Her intelligence and political views are made clear through Frances’s deft observations.

The dynamic between the two women, particularly at its highest and lowest points, is illustrated with precise and emotive language which, coupled with glimpses of their former relationship, illuminates the best and worst in both characters.

Nick, too, is an excellently crafted character.

His complexity helps him to resist the role as the stereotypical male lover. His relationships with Frances, Melissa, and even Bobbi are varied and reveal a number of dimensions. One noteworthy scene involves Frances visiting one of Nick’s performances on stage, and observing his skill at concealing his own identity, replacing his character, voice and demeanour effortlessly.

His acting is juxtaposed with

his intimate behaviour at a dinner and birthday parties attended by Frances as she attempts to determine the legitimacy of his demeanour and feeling.

My favourite part of Rooney’s writing, without doubt, is her use of simile and metaphor. I’d like to point out two of my favourite examples from her novel.

The first appears when Nick drives Frances and a friend, Evelyn, to a supermarket in France; ‘We were driving along by the harbour, where the ships implied themselves as concepts behind the fog’.

I adore this. Frances does not see the ships through the fog: the layering is emphatic, and a new perspective is formed.

Frances is constantly encouraging the reader to view the world at alternative angles and this is one of the best examples.

The second is an unwell

Frances’s description of Nick’s voice over the phone.

‘He had a gentle tone in his voice and I wanted to climb into it, like it was something hollow I could be suspended inside’. This single image communicates affection, comfort, security, and helplessness, as Frances, at this point simultaneously weak and enamoured by Nick, finds solace in his voice alone.

With some luck I’ll be able to read Rooney’s criticallyacclaimed Normal People before the academic year is out. If her second novel contains anywhere near the levels of engagement, colour and fluidity as her debut, I have no doubt that it will join Conversations with Friends as one of the best prose texts I’ve read in years.

16 ARTS: FILM

THE FOUNDER February 2019

Five Streaming Films to Watch this LGBTQ+ History Month Moonlight (Amazon Prime)

Other People (Netflix)

Film cover artwork This Academy Awardwinning film by Barry Jenkins follows the coming of age of a young black man from Miami. Split into three parts, the film

explores Chiron’s journey into adulthood; discovering his sexuality and the trials and tribulations of falling in love.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post (iTunes, Google Play)

Film cover artwork Loosely based on the life of ex Saturday Night Live co-head writer, Chris Kelly (SNL’s first openly gay head writer), Other People is a comedy-drama about a ‘big city boy’ who returns to his hometown of Sacramento to take care of his dying mother.

As David (Jesse Plemons) tries to navigate life back home, where he resides with his very conservative family, Kelly provides an equally hilarious and heartbreaking insight into acceptance and loss.

Appropriate Behaviour (Netflix) Screenshot from film Winner of the Sundance Grand Jury Prize in 2018, Desiree Akhavan’s second feature is an adaptation of Emily M. Danforth’s 2012 novel of the same name. It follows the life of teenager

Cameron Post (Chloe Grace Moretz), as she is sent to a conversion therapy camp after being caught making out with the prom queen on prom night.

A Fantastic Woman (Youtube Movies, Google Play) Sebastián Lelio’s 2017 Academy Award-nominated drama explores the life of Marina (Daniel Vega), a young transgender woman living in Chile, after the

death of her boyfriend Orlando. Daniel Vega’s provides an absolutely magnificent and magnetic performance to match this moving and powerful film.

Film cover artwork Desiree Akhavan’s feature debut is a funny and intelligently written film about Shirin, a 20-something Brooklynite who struggles to rebuild her life after breaking up with

her girlfriend. This indie romantic comedy showcases the struggle of balancing two different cultures, Shirin being Persian and bisexual, like no other.

THE FOUNDER February 2019

ARTS: FILM 17

Colette: Effortly Diverse and Contemporary

Screenshot from the film Colette NIEVE CAMBURN

Sidonie Gabrielle Colette’s metamorphosis from a countryside maiden into an independent Parisian feminist is captured with elegance by Wash Westmoreland (Still Alice) in this nineteenthcentury biopic. Accompanied

by Giles Nuttgens’ cinematic lens, Colette successfully fabricates the glamour, betrayal and decline that surrounds Colette as she is seduced by her high society husband into his failing empire in Paris.

Kiera Knightley’s rendition of Colette perfectly captures a woman finding her place in a glorified society that did not live up to her expectations. Her husband, Henry Gauthier-Villars’, (Dominic West) is confronted with financial difficulty as a consequence of his marriage to Colette. Despite this, the writer, who also goes by the name ‘Willy’, continues to behave recklessly with the little money they do have; wasting it on useless antiques, gambling and prostitutes.

This consequently instigates his ingenious idea to employ Colette into his business, making her one of the ghostwriters that sustain his empire. Colette’s novels Claudine are a sensation in France, and Willy exploits

Colette’s success. Faced with infidelity and exploitation, Colette does not shrink back into the shadows of her Parisian apartment.

Instead, she utilises his infidelity to engage with her own sexual fantasies; taking complete agency of her situation. Colette’s first taste of transgression is when she starts an affair with René Raoul-Duva’sl wife, Georgie. Despite Eleanor Tomlinson’s slightly unconvincing Louisiana accent, it is Colette’s relationship with this socialite that triggers the emergence of Colette’s true character.

We are invited to watch her live her life unconditionally, despite living in bourgeois Paris. Colette’s physical appearance may change as a result of her husband’s desire to rebuild her into Claudine, but it is this change that symbolises the shift her character embraces. After cutting her long Rapunzelesque hair into a short black bob, her transformation truly begins. Rejecting dresses for suits, and her husband for women, Colette refuses to conform to her husband’s factory of writers. My main praise is that Knightley and Westmoreland never allow Colette to be pitied, she never reduces herself to the

damsel in distress archetype.

Colette did not become disenfranchised by her husband, despite exploited for her talent.

Westmoreland’s Colette is effortlessly diverse, disputing the binary and contributing to LGBTQ+ discourse. Colette translates into contemporary society and subsequently to a contemporary audience despite one hundred years separating them. Its casual engagement with bisexuality and gender fluidity gains my high praise. Missy - Colette’s long-term lover - is discussed by the characters in the film with questions and rejection as a result of gender fluidity, but we, as an audience, are not expected to comment on her gender identity. We are invited to hold a lot of respect for her rejection of femininity, of course, she was only about to deviate because of her wealth and status, but regardless she still challenged a society that did not have room for her voice. Colette invites us to ask questions about our current society; how has a century passed with little advancement in how we respond to these ‘transgressions’?

Colette is playing in cinemas now.

10 Oscars and A Crown to Boot: The Favourite ERIN LEONARD

Yorgos Lanthimos struck out into 2018 with the film that was destined to land him the Best Director nomination that the Academy has been waiting to offer him since The Lobster hit our screens in 2015. In a period drama like no other, Lanthimos has collected a stellar cast of women together to create his finest work to date.

Not only has the film proved a successful addition to Lanthimos’ growing legacy in Hollywood, it has also proved an outstanding international debut for Olivia Colman. Previously reserved for BBC miniseries, Colman has recently been getting immense, and much deserved, critical recognition. If playing a leading role in such a highlyacclaimed production wasn’t enough, the role of Queen Anne has already given the actress the opportunity to take home a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination.

The plot follows Queen Anne and her court, exploring the interior workings of the palace under her reign; managing to contrast the aspects of drama and comedy that Tony McNamara’s screenplay demands. It puts the characters of Lady Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz) and her cousin Abigail (Emma Stone) at odds, fighting for the affections of the monarch. This ensemble cast works wonders for the writing and bestows performance elements that, as a viewer, make the film even more enjoyable to watch.

Olivia Colman proves herself like never before, depicting hysterics and depressive outbursts side-byside, fascinating the audience with her multi-faceted characterisation. Weisz is

in top form throughout, maintaining the class she has been so well considered for throughout her career. Even the supporting performances of actors like Mark Gatiss and Nicholas Hoult made an impression, with such big names collaborating into a marvellous creation of art.

While the film relies greatly on the periodical factor of its creation, Lanthimos finds room in the film for a more absurdist take. His breakthrough film Dogtooth and subsequent success The Lobster were directed in the same vein and it has become something of a staple of his works.

The characterisations are almost fairy-tale like and the filmography alienates the narrative in a curious way that takes a couple of watches to fully understand.

Characters such as Queen Anne are what provide a steady foundation from which the viewer can begin to comprehend the film’s hidden intentions.

The Favourite has proved itself as one of the stand-out films of 2018 - it has already made more than 100% profit in the box office. Relatively small budget films such as this have been on the rise the past few years, with production quality no longer ensuring project success.

With such a star-spangled cast, it’s hard to believe that only $15 million was set behind the film. It has certainly proved itself in the eyes of the general public, as for the critics, time continues to tell. With ten Oscar nominations for film and not long until we find out how many of those are wins, the success of The Favourite is far from over.

The Favourite is still playing in cinemas. It is available on digital from February 12.

18 ARTS: FILM

THE FOUNDER February 2019

Does Screen Size Matter?

Film on a gameboy screen GRACIELA MAE CHICO

With 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma has truly solidified itself as one of 2018’s best films. While now seemingly overshadowed by the colossal of critical and audience acclaim following its release, it is hard to forget the film’s rougher beginnings when it was attempting to land on the French Riviera.

A month before it was scheduled to premiere at the 71st Cannes Film Festival, the Netflix film pulled out of the festival completely after disputes over competition eligibility.

While both Cannes and Cuarón wanted the film to premiere at the prestigious festival, as reinstated by Cannes’ artistic director Thierry Frémaux, only films anticipating French theatrical distribution will be eligible to premiere in the competition line up. In an interview with Indiewire, Frémaux argues; ‘They show dozens and dozens of films each year on Netflix. Could they not release just one film a year theatrically in France in order for it to come to Cannes?’. This left Roma,

which began streaming worldwide on December 14, 2018 (alongside a limited theatrical release) to premiere at the 75th Venice Film Festival.

While a festival infamous for being reclused to the general public imposing such rules is somewhat unsurprising, let’s also not forget that this is the same festival that opened its 70th edition with T.J Miller parasailing into the resort town to promote The Emoji Movie (the whole thing was livestreamed. Watch it on Youtube in your own time). In 2004, alongside the likes of David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive and Hou Hsiao-hsien Millennium Mambo, Dreamworks’ Shrek 2 was amongst the films competing for the Palm d’Or. While it is easy to make the presumption, it is not exactly a case of festivals like Cannes reinstating some line between the high and low brow, especially with an arthouse film like Roma, instead, it is about another hackneyed discourse: are straight to streaming films killing cinema?

Following its release, filmmakers like Guillermo del Toro expressed their

support of Roma on Twitter - del Toro did so through a wonderful thread called ‘10 Personal Musings about Roma’ because he is an absolute gem. Sean Baker (Tangerine, The Florida Project), however, tweeted a rather more imperative tweet that inferred a theatrical experience of Roma is necessary for ‘the future of film’. It would be churlish of me to completely antagonise Baker, a truly talented filmmaker when I myself first watched Roma while seated in one of London’s most beautiful cinemas during the city’s own film festival.

Through its breathtaking cinematography and astounding performances, Cuarón paints the world of 1970s Mexico City in beautiful black and white that simultaneously beams with all of life’s colours and specificity. Alongside every carefully crafted panning shot that graced the screen of this lavish London cinema, is a magnificent sound design and score that deliciously blared through the theatre’s speakers.

Surrounded by fellow cinephiles, film critics, and film industry professionals, I

found myself crying. And so did, what it seemed like, the other near 350 people in that screening. But are reactions like this purely due to the cinema experience? Are our emotions somehow locked from unravelling when watching something on a 13-inch computer screen?

If anything, I feel more emotionally vulnerable when watching a film in the comfort of my own home because I know no one will judge me when I cry after watching Inside Out at four in the afternoon, unlike when I went to see it surrounded by children and their parents at my local. But maybe that’s just me.

Similar to the memes that resulted from Christopher Nolan’s insistence on his 2017 war film Dunkirk being consumed in 70mm IMAX, the outcries of cinema purist resulted in various memes that depicted Roma playing on absurd screens; from a beloved Gameboy to an old Nokia brick phone. As an avid cinema goer, cinema worker, and filmmaker, I do sympathise and understand the concerns the likes of Frémaux and Baker raise.

But, as Cuarón stated in response to a journalist

who believed that the Netflix film’s success is the ‘death of independent cinema’, how many theatres would a black and white Mexican film - with no big stars - be playing at under a conventional release?

Streaming releases have allowed films previously reserved for niche, art house cinemas in big cities to reach an audience beyond the bourgeoisie.

When I rewatched Roma at home, I found myself almost as emotionally moved as my first watching.

The idea of cinema’s demise is disheartening, but the slowly growing, and evolving, streaming release should not be antagonised or discouraged; it allows storytellers to reach audiences far and beyond, igniting their films with a life that may not have been as extensive, if at all possible (with companies such as Netflix being more open to unconventional films due to the lower box office turnover risk), under a conventional theatrical run. Turn up your laptop volume, or buy yourself a projector, because the straight to streaming model is undeniably here to stay.

THE FOUNDER February 2019

ARTS: MUSIC 19

Single Review: Foals – ‘Exits’ Opinion: Is Hobo

Johnson Really a Rapper?

Photo credit Mike Miller SAM PALMER

Album image CHARLIE CATMULL

Though the world is in potential chaos and Brexit, or whatever March actually entails, looms over us, 2019 promises to be a great year in music, hopefully one a bit more eventful than last year. Luckily January has already looked set to fulfil that promise with the return of one of the best bands Britain has to offer; Foals and their brand new single ‘Exits’. A band who through their sheer ability to create a sound that is unmistakably theirs, have risen through the ranks of the UK’s indie rock circuit, surviving the rocky transition the scene went through in the late noughties as the genre itself began to become stale. As bands began to mimic the formula initiated by the likes of Arctic Monkeys and *yawn* Courteeners, we ultimately ended up with the middle of the road indie group sound a la Catfish and the Bottlemen.

But Foals were, and still are different. They initiated change, a willingness to

experiment and an openmindedness to simply try stuff out which has landed them at the very top of the pile. An attitude to making music that must in some way have contributed to the explosion in ranging sounds alternative groups are now trying out. The band headlined Reading in 2016 and have now announced a UK tour spanning two nights at the cavernous Alexandra Palace, the first night selling out in just ten minutes.

So, it is with new single ‘Exits’ that Foals continue to push their own musical envelope, whilst still homing in on their signature sound, a stamp which is present in dancefloor and festival fillers such as the huge ‘My Number’ to the heavy-rock influenced ‘What Went Down’ and ‘Providence’.

Expanding on their mathrock roots which brought them to critics and fans attention with their debut album ‘Antidotes’ in 2008, it is at the cross-roads between these older songs, full of suntinged guitar patterns and

electronic fidgeting, and, the more recent tracks such as the singles taken from ‘Holy Fire’ which featured shaking bass, and smack to the face guitar riffs that ‘Exits’ lies. At 6 minutes long, the track snakes around lead singer Yannis’ poignant lyrics on doomsday plans and extinction, whilst featuring the welcome blend of shimmering electronic glitches and thumping basslines. It is the lush arrangement of old and new, the meeting of crunching guitars and old school video game melodies that make ‘Exits’ such a refreshing song, and, a welcome return to a band that hasn’t released new music in four years. I’m excited to see what their 2019 double LP ‘Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost’ brings when it lands on March 8th, hopefully, a lot more of the experimentation that Yannis and co have hinted at in interviews, but with the presence of the authored festival-ready hit making that Foals are now known for.

I think the first issue to tackle when working out if Hobo Johnson is a “rapper” or not is to establish whether what he makes can be considered music. Obviously, music is entirely subjective, and as a result there can never be a right answer to this, but when listening to his songs they come across largely as poetry, with only an occasional focus on rhythm and melody. There is almost always no chorus or verse structure, and a lot of the time the rhythm and feel of the underlying instruments is completely ignored by Hobo Johnson as he tells his story.

That said, when looked at in its rawest form, could the same not be said about what is typically known as rap? An often rhythmic and occasionally melodic telling of a story, where the primary focus is the lyrics and the point the artist is trying to convey.

This then begs the question: what is rap defined as? The proper definition is a genre of music in which lyrics are recited rapidly and rhythmically over a musical accompaniment, so does Hobo Johnson fit this? His lyrics aren’t consistently

‘rapid and rhythmic,’ so should that should lead us to the conclusion that he is not a rapper, just a poet with a musical backing. However, I would argue that with every genre of music, you don’t have to fit the definition word for word to necessarily fit the genre.

Finally, a factor to consider would be his own views of his music. As I stated earlier, he does consider himself a rapper, more specifically a hip-hop artist. But, instead of creating his own grandeur within his music, he decided to be an honest hip-hop artist who talked about how he felt, such as heartbreak and the time in his life when he was homeless.

While he recognised that this wouldn’t necessarily make him successful, he still treated it as his own brand of hip-hop, and for this reason I personally would choose to classify Hobo Johnson as a rapper in his own right.

Hobo Johnson may not be conventional, but he is a talented lyricist and I would urge anybody to have a listen to decide whether or not they think he’s a rapper and, more importantly, whether or not they enjoy his brand of music.

20 ARTS: MUSIC Sharon van Etten – Remind Me Tomorrow Album Review

THE FOUNDER February 2019

Album Review: Weezer – The Teal Album YUJI AOYAMA

Album artwork EMILY KELLY

Having never have listened to Sharon van Etten’s previous work, when my friend first played me ‘I Told You Everything’ it was so moving to me that I realised, “I had no idea” what I was missing. Sharon van Etten’s fifth studio album Remind Me Tomorrow is the perfect mix of heartache and hope. The album flows between strong drum beats reminiscent of female rock, indie and sometimes even grunge with tracks like ‘No One’s Easy to Love’ and ‘Comeback Kid’ and slower, more emotive songs such as ‘I Told you Everything’ and ‘Malibu’. There are multiple tracks too that use deep, synthy electronic backing tracks similar to artists such as Goldfrapp and Deptford Goth, however mixed with Etten’s melodic female vocals, hold the ability to leave the listener

with goosebumps. Her high vocal range seems to me reminiscent of Bat for Lashes and London Grammar yet her variety throughout the album and the flow of the song listing is striking. To me, the slower songs on the album are the stronger points, the album opens with the bare piano chords of ‘I Told You Everything’ and closes with ‘Stay’ giving the album as a whole a sort of circular feel as the album moves through multiple emotions of rebellion and teenage pregnancy.

The album gives the listener an insight into van Etten’s personal stories with brave intimacy proven to be even more private by her low, moving vocals. Remind Me Tomorrow was written, as she says in “stolen time”; many of the songs are written in the small hours between auditions, singing, being a mother, going to school and living in New York City.

This is why I think that this

album is breathtaking. She has put so much of herself into the lyrics that when she sings them, her experiences (both the highs and the lows) combined with the vocals, haunt you. She describes the key themes of her most recent album, suggesting that it “provokes our most sensitive impulses: reckless affections, spirited nurturing, and tender courage.” It does just this whilst also telling the universal story of new love, of both man and child. This seems to me to be an album best listened to through headphones as the deep, guttural beats pulse through the record like a heartbeat.

Lock yourself away in a dark room and allow the slow build of this album to take you into her world and reflect on your own.

Sharon van Etten is currently touring and playing at the Roundhouse on March 26th.

It’s not every day Weezer surprise-releases an album.

It’s even more surprising when they decide to make it a cover album, riding on the success of their ‘Africa’ cover. What’s more is that it’s actually good. As such, Weezer’s latest selftitled (dubbed as the ‘Teal Album’) seems a promising prospect for any longtime fan. However, Teal leaves something to be desired, and ultimately doesn’t amount to anything much more than a holdover until their next original work.

If nothing else, Teal is an enjoyable listen. Part of what made ‘Raditude’ and ‘Make Believe’ so reviled is the way the band tried to force themselves to be conventionally attractive; Teal is a fun, simple record that succeeds on the premise of not having to be written

by Rivers Cuomo. Weezer’s better pop albums are redeemable because they are earnestly made, coming from an original effort and not written solely to appeal to something the band isn’t.

Where ‘Beverly Hills’ and ‘Can’t Stop Partying’ are generic, soulless and insufferably cheesy, the band has finally let go of the ridiculous notion that anyone wants to listen to a bunch of 40-year-olds pretending to be young, hip and wild.

Teal represents something actually enjoyable, in that Rivers no longer has to worry about putting on pretenses.

His love of classic metal has been well-known as far back as the band’s debut, wherein he immortalizes his appreciation for the band members of Kiss; it seems appropriate, then, that the best track on Teal is a cover of Black Sabbath’s ‘Paranoid’.

Similarly, Rivers has tried to imitate his favorite rappers and hip-hop artists more than once, satirizing Lil Xan’s Wikipedia article for his Spotify biography and co-opting Jermaine Dupri on the ill-fated ‘Can’t Stop Partying’. His cover of TLC’s ‘No Scrubs’ succeeds where he’s failed in the past, however; once again, Rivers’ enthusiasm for the genre shines through a lot better when he doesn’t have to write the song.

All of this is well and good, but it still presents a problem: it doesn’t prove that Weezer is good at actually making music. Most songs on the album tend towards recreating the original instead of improving them or adding anything new.

The fact that Teal is clearly capitalizing on the success of their ‘Africa’ cover, even opening on the same song, doesn’t inspire confidence in the idea that they might have moved away from their focus on sacrificing creative expression to make pop hits.

Ultimately, as enjoyable as the album might be, Teal doesn’t stand on enough of its own creative merit to make a lasting impact on the band’s discography - but a fun album will always be preferable to a bad one.

SPORTS 21

THE FOUNDER February 2019

Sport Event of the Month - UFC 235

Event advertisement JACK WRIGHT

On 2 March 2019, the UFC will host one of the most exciting and actionpacked fight cards in the organisation’s history.

Almost every bout on the card features a name that has, by this point, become

household for any fan of Mixed Martial Arts.

Jon Jones, light heavyweight champion and arguably the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world, will return after finishing Alexander ‘The Mauler’ Gustafsson inside three rounds at UFC

232. Jones is set to face Anthony Smith, a promising lightweight contender who is riding a three-fight win streak. Jones will look to continue to cement his legacy as the GOAT, while Smith will undoubtedly seek to dethrone the seemingly unstoppable Jones.

The co-main event is a hotly anticipated welterweight fight between champion Tyron Woodley and the talented Kamaru Usman, whose only loss was back in 2013. The Nigerian-American has looked dominant in his last few matchups, taking unanimous decisions over former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu aficionado Demian Maia.

A very exciting bout present on the card features veteran Robbie Lawler, who still remains partly responsible for (in my opinion) the greatest MMA fight of all time, when he faced Rory MacDonald for the second time at UFC 189. Lawler will look to welcome long-time MMA star and former Olympic wrestler Ben Askren into the UFC. Askren found fame in a pair of the UFC’s rival organisations, ONE and Bellator, achieving the welterweight title in both.

There are fights that are important because of their impact upon the division, and fights that hold the viewer’s interest because of the spectacle alone. I am confident that this bout will satisfy both categories comfortably. If Askren is able to topple Lawler,

a future matchup against the winner of Woodley vs.

Usman seems likely. Askren may also opt to move down to lightweight in order to challenge champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in a matchup that will have fight fans across the world practically drooling. On the other hand, a win for ‘Ruthless’ could spark a comeback, and perhaps a final title push for the former welterweight champion.

This card continues to entice with even more fights further down the card.

Jeremy Stephens against Zabit Magomedsharipov is certain to be a technical and thrilling scrap in the featherweight division, while in the women’s strawweight division, Tecia Torres and Weili Zhang will face off in a matchup that is pivotal for the future of the weight category.

Other noteworthy fights include the return of former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt, who face Pedro Munhoz; Misha Cirkunov against Ovince Saint Preux; and Mickey Gall against Diego Sanchez.

UFC 235 will be held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 2 2019. You can watch live on BT Sport in the early hours of Sunday morning.

22 SPORTS

THE FOUNDER February 2019

Alumni Sports Day Review

Students celebrating their victory FRANKIE CHRISTOU

Royal Holloway Students managed to defeat returning students to lift the Handcock Cup on what turned out to be a very exciting 12th annual Alumni Sports Day. Fencing and Badminton initiated the day by portraying that the day would certainly be a close affair. Badminton went on to produce the only draw of the day (10-10) while Women’s Fencing were defeated 108-123. The Men’s team however, fought hard to be victorious over the Alumni by producing the first Student win of the day – the score was 113-110.

The grass pitches witnessed the Student’s turn their vigour into an advantage as both Football clubs picked up wins. The Women battered the returners 10-2, while the Men overcome two goal deficits to run out as 6-2 victors.

Alumni went onto close the gap by claiming wins in Ultimate Frisbee (13-6) and Lacrosse (10-14). The

students replied by beating the alumni on the courts as Basketball produced two nail biting affairs. The men managed to beat the Alumni by eight clear points (7668) in a match that provided a great atmosphere on the side-lines. The Women however, looked to be heading for the second draw of the day until a last-minute swoosh saw the Students win by only one point; with the score finishing as 35-34.

Women’s Rugby were able to inflict the biggest victory of the day on the students as they beat them 10-50. The Men’s team however, were able to redeem them by running out as victors in what ended up being high scoring fixture with the score ending at 6334.

Netball also managed to notch a victory against the old guard, beating them by eleven points.

The day was rounded off by two breath taking Hockey fixtures on the astro. Luckily, for the

Students, both fixtures were assiduously in their favour with the men’s finishing at 5-4 and the Women’s at 4-3.

The scores meant that the Student’s retained the Handcock trophy after being beaten last year. The alumni may be trying to excuse the defeat because of their lack of sharpness and fitness, but as last year proved, they can topple the students however, this year was not the case.

Scores aside, Alumni Sports Day is a great day to participate in or spectate. The rejoice of friendships that were separated due to graduations is such a spectacular moment.

To be able to catch up with old teammates and friends who are a couple steps ahead provides a great opportunity for current students to learn about their experiences in the world they will be soon entering.

To all alumni who made the trip back to campus, thank you. It was a pleasure to see you all and we cannot wait to see a few of you next year!

Results Women’s Football - Students 10 – 2 Alumni Badminton – Students 10 – 10 Alumni Men’s Football – Students 6 – 2 Alumni Fencing Men’s – Students 113 – 110 Alumni Lacrosse – Students 10 – 14 Alumni Ultimate Frisbee – Students 6 – 13 Alumni Women’s Rugby – Students 10 – 50 Alumni Basketball Men’s – Students 76 – 68 Alumni Netball – Students 39 – 28 Alumni Basketball Women’s – Students 25 – 24 Alumni Men’s Rugby – Students 63 – 34 Alumni Fencing Women’s – Students 108 – 123 Alumni Hockey Men’s – Students 5 – 4 Alumni Hockey Women’s – Students 4 – 3 Alumni

SPORTS 23

THE FOUNDER February 2019

Meet the President Women's Rugby

Rowing Roar on to Third Place

Royal Holloway Women's Rugby Team EEDI KARJALAINEN

Women’s Rugby have already had a busy term so far, starting with the Alumni Careers Talk and Alumni Sports Day! We had a superb group of panellists who shared their experiences outside of university, informing us on how rugby strengthened their applications and even informed their choice of career. The following day, we played a brilliant match against the, what felt like, professional opposition, where the Alumni took home a 50-10 win. On January 27th, we took the girls to watch the Richmond Ladies vs Gloucester-Hartpury Ladies game, where we had a Q&A with the premiership ladies, who told us all about playing rugby at such a high level, commitment, as well as balancing the sport with one’s own personal life. We were even featured in their live-stream game update video! We had another successful Community Sports Day on January 31st, where we promoted sports (and rugby) amongst schoolaged children. A few of our

girls will be taking part in the Disability Awareness Week event on February 9th, and we are looking forward to playing against Surrey at Varsity, on March 27th.

On Monday, February 11th, Women’s Rugby are taking part in the Inner Warrior campaign, by holding a free taster session to encourage all women to give rugby a go! Being a non-contact, fun session, we would love to see anyone and everyone to come along! In terms of achievements, one of our great players, Chryssa, was recently picked to play for Middlesex County Women’s Rugby – an incredible achievement and we can’t wait to see how she’s going to develop even further.

Also, nine of our girls managed to secure funding for the England Rugby Refereeing Award (Level 1), which will be taking place towards the end of February.

This will allow them to take their rugby skills to the next level by being able to referee games! Our Facebook page will soon outline the other events we have planned for Term 2 and 3, so keep an eye out!

Photo credit Royal Holloway Rowing SAM FARLOW

On Saturday the 8th of December, the Royal Holloway Boat Club (RHULBC) – as seen in the photograph, top left to right, Ali Ahmed, Thomas Matthew, Finbar Campbell, Enriko Robin Raidjõe, Cyprien Dumont, Henry Balkwill-Ruddick, bottom left to right, coxswain Jake Henderson-Cornwell, James Ellis, Joe Smith - competed for the Allom Cup. The eight boys and their cox had been training on a hard schedule of cold mornings on the river as well as undertaking vigorous circuit training which witnessed them undergo various machine drills, weight sessions at Royal Holloway and afternoon water sessions at our Boat House in Staines.

Allom Cup, hosted by the University of London Boat Club (ULBC), is a prestigious rowing competition, in which only

London Universities are permitted to partake. The ULBC itself is a boat club which consists of the top rowers, selected from the London Universities. On a cold, bitter morning, the boys left their university accommodation and made their way to ULBC in Chiswick where they rigged the boat in preparation for their first heat sprint race against Royal Free University College Middlesex Medical School (RUMS).

Unfortunately the team lost this first race, one of the RUMS rowers made a comment on the impact of our appearance; “Our first race was against Royal Holloway Novice A team, who looked very professional with their full kit. This gave us all a bit of a scare on the start line.”

After this race, the boys were given time to warm up and regather. The Bears were put straight into the finals, after their next competitors Putney Town Rowing Club

(PTRC) pulled out of the cup.

They must have been scared as they probably heard the Bears after Jake asked the boys for their “biggest roar” prior to launching the boat.

For our novice rowers, this was their first ever intercollegiate regatta, and we really proved to London that we are a squad who is looking to make huge strides – or rows. With a definitive win against Queen Mary, University of London (QM), RHULBC secured a third-place finish in the cup.

Congratulations to the boys who took part in the Allom Cup on such a successful day. Third place is apt reward for the hard work the boys have continued to put in to their rowing. The rowing club have more competitions scheduled to take place this term and just like their most recent one, they will be aiming for a podium finish.

Good luck for 2019!

We hope that the new year has started well for you all!

As a business developing accommodation for students, including for many students at RHUL, over a thousand students have chosen to stay in accommodation developed by us. Key to delivering excellent accommodation is to be constantly improving the experience for the students living in our developments.

We’d like to hear from you! And with a chance to win a £100 Nando’s Gift Card, tell us the best and worst aspect about your current student accommodation, whether you rent a house or flat, or live-in purpose built accommodation. Anything from the must have wifi, to a sense of security or that you have your own warm shower room. We’d also like to know the least liked aspects about your present accommodation... bad heating, buggy wi-fi, or having to clean up after others!

Enter on Twitter or Instagram before 1st March using #danehurstegham and we’ll select two winners at random, one for the best and one for the worst thing about your accommodation. Each winner will be notified by DM before 14th March.

Another quick mention before we go to the fantastic Egham Hollowegians 1st XV who are keeping up their winning streak and still sitting top of the league. Well done! COYEH!

www.danehurst.com