TT17 Wk.8 Ed.10
Get your tissues at the ready Pembroke, for the final issue of The Pink Times is here. Freshers, it’s time to don your sub fusc for the first time since you were wee little babies at matriculation, and experience your first Oxford exams. Finalists, prepare yourselves to bid farewell to the pink and comforting arms of Pemb, and set off for the big wide world. But don’t let things get too stressy now, there’s always time for a cup of tea and a perusal of The Pink Times. As much as we’ve loved being your editors, it’s time to tearfully pass the baton on to Soraya and Mouki, who I’m sure will do a great job pushing the pink dynasty on to even bigger and better things. Enjoy your summer everyone, rest up and party hard in equal measure, and we’ll see you all next year. Much love, Sophie and Lily
Pembroke’s mighty croquet heritage
Contents pg. 3
Pears and Pairs Bop (yep, we know it was ages ago)
pg. 4
A Year in Russia
pg. 6
Interview with Ball presidents
pg. 8
How Did Other College Balls Compare?
pg. 10
A Year in Japan
pg. 12
A Guide to Punting
pg. 14
An Ode to Colin
pg. 16
Pembroke’s Summer VIIIs campaign
pg. 18
Phèdre
Front cover: Khris Cowley Back cover: Wanda V. Knobelsdorff
Russia Emma Helm “So how was Russia?!” you ask, expectant I’ll respond “magical, delightful and enchanting every other day, like the film Anastasia, and of course I speak fluently”. Yet before I went, you also kindled, reinforced or exacerbated fear. I want to give the concrete answer we both want, so I use my default: “cold and grim”. I’m sarcastically using humour to swerve disappointing with my unremarkable, or acutely painful, raw emotions.
I don’t want people to think I’ve failed. A completely alien and challenging culture, a really tricky recently learned language, boring school-like lessons. Somehow, I also needed to adult (said newly created verb I am yet to define), whilst anorexia nervosa was so prevalently pervading on, and darkening, my existence. Somehow, I came out as one powerful warrior (says Olga, my literature teacher). “Laws change daily”; “you probably won’t get fined for that”; “try not to get stopped for a document search”. Our lives were a series of inconstancies. There wasn’t always much to do, and if there was it was too much effort to wade through snow to get there.
For me, the temperatures were delightful because they were expected. Not in January when I returned to Moscow to -32, though: frozen hair, eyelashes, and eyeballs after a 15 hour long journey (where I almost got off the London bound train at Stockport to go back to mummy).
Yogi. This changed my life in ways that a limited word count won’t do justice; but I am still alive, and that goes some way to explain it.
So, finally, when Stan from down the road asked me what it was like to live in Russia, I spontaneously replied “amazing”. I grew to Either I was extremely stressed, or really love the unexpected and unknown. I was bored, or struggling to study. When I got going to end this wittily to take away from home, a key in the door meant my landlady the gushy life affirming positivity you’re was home and I should probably go to the getting now, but I’m not ashamed of how I gym. Then she’d tell me off for doing just feel. I am grateful I gave myself an that. Not for want of trying, there was very opportunity to start living this little conversation, just a dig for eating ‘all confidently. In a country so many thought those vegetables’. It’s hard to pinpoint our I’d feel restricted, I found freedom. relationship, but I know I felt bitterly lonely. Unless she’d stewed me some cabbage; I loved cabbage days.
The people kept me going. I’d chat with the fruit and veg lady, or Irena from the health shop which made me almond milk. Cautiously chat with the “did you know I’ve been to prison, here, let me show you how I would attack you, can we swap numbers so I can practice English?” coffee man. Even the security man at my gym made me a goodbye present which I left behind (it was sharp and pointy).
Olga said I needed to abandon feminism and let men buy me things, only to realise she was ‘one of those feminists.’ She spoke so passionately that she encapsulated my affections; even when I didn’t agree with her. She introduced me to Iyenga Yoga, taught by a proper
Post Ball Interview with Ball Presidents Isobel Frankis and Ella Siney
Are you glad its over, or wondering what to do with yourselves?
At first it was really weird, we'd spent so long organising something that was over in a matter of hours, and despite all our moaning at the time, we both really miss it
How did the ball go from your perspective? i think everyone who went will agree that it was a fantastic evening, but how did it feel from your What was your favourite moment of the night? side?
Seeing how much everyone enjoyed Lovetrain Overall we were so happy with how everything was such a good feeling and made it all worth it went on the night, pretty much everything went to plan, and the committee worked ridiculously hard to ensure it all went smoothly How did the final night differ from your expectations / ideas when you originally applied for the role? Did it exceed expectations? Were there any catastrophes behind the scenes? When we first realised that using Rokos wasn't going to be feasible, we were all pretty Romare missing his soundcheck and turning up disappointed, but in the end we think having about 3 minutes before his set definitely wasn't everyone on the old site actually worked better ideal, but it all worked out perfectly in the end and gave it a really good atmosphere.
Once again a massive thank you to the committee and to everyone who bought tickets, we're so happy you all enjoyed yourselves!
Photos 1 & 2: Dan Kim, Undivided Photography
How Did Other College Balls Measure Up?
O
n the 6th May, Keble hosted its annual black tie ball. The theme was “The Abyssus Theory”, which claims that there are no living creatures in the deepest reaches of the ocean. Despite the mysterious trailers, this had very little impact on the night: beyond a couple of people walking around dressed as fish the theme was totally unrecognisable. However, this aside, the ball was a huge success. The music was superb, the only long queue was for the entrance, and Keble is just big enough to make you feel as if you can explore without losing your friends every ten seconds. A definite highlight was DFO, a funk band hailing from Oxford. Also very much enjoyed was the Arctic Monkeys cover bandafter a few of the exciting and multicoloured cocktails you could almost believe they were the real thing. Overall a solid 8/10- the theme could have been better and there was no real extra entertainment that we could find (no ball pit!) but fun nonetheless. –Lizzie Johnson
U
pon arriving at Hertford ball we were dazzled by a stream of lights suspended from the Bridge of Sighs where a queue of people were waiting to make the most of the incredible photo opportunity. After spending maybe too long trying to get the right angle, we made a beeline for the bar, passing shisha, swing boats and a number of busy food stands on the way. Despite disappointment with the drinks on offer – a limited selection of weak premixed cocktails which ran out before the end of the night – spirits remained high as the music was a consistent crowd pleaser. There was something for everyone, varying from Out of the Blue to SE10 with headline act, The Hoosiers, causing a real buzz. But without our gin jackets on, we soon felt the cold and went indoors to the casino, where there were yet more food stands and we were able to warm ourselves up with a cone or two of hot chips before heading back to the dancefloor. There was so much going on that it was impossible to see and do everything, but overall we had a great night in great company (shoutout to Shaks). Overall rating: 8/10 –Libby Munro and Holly Abrahamson
E
xeter College Ball was a night of excellent entertainment, wacky decoration, good food and plenty of rides on the dodgems. Despite Exeter being fairly small in size, the ball was spread out well to include two stages, indoor and outdoor spaces, the highlight being the beautiful walk around the Fellows' Garden, overlooking Radcliffe Square. Atmospherically-lit pathways, fluorescent ball pit, photo booth and ping-pong tables all complemented the Yellow Submarine theme nicely, as did the Strawberry Fields decorations in the hall. The food choices were very enjoyable - Mission Burrito, Noodlenation and waffles being our favourites - and the inclusion of The Missing Bean coffee in hall was a good touch on a chilly evening. The music, too, was one of the most memorable features of the night (despite the large amounts of alcohol consumed). Patchwork residents and DJ Moxie followed OUJO, allowing for different music tastes but good fun for all, despite the covered area being on the small side. Our main issues were the food queues and the fact that alcohol ran out for a short time - not a big deal at the end of the night, but nonetheless noticeable. As it was a small ball, it definitely helped that we knew a lot of people there. All in all, Exeter Ball was very good value and we had a great time! Overall rating: 7/10 –Anya Hutchison and Meris Ryan-Goff
A
nd surprise surprise… Pembroke Ball comes out on top!
Pembroke ball was undoubtedly the most magical and exciting night I have had in Oxford! Love Train were a great start to the ball, by having such an energetic performance, and probably my favourite music of the evening. The silent disco and Romare were also both so great (although, I thought it was a shame that there was no encore). The drinks were another part of the ball that really worked: no infamous one-shot sugary cocktails, but drinks made to order that were really decent. The college just looked so wonderful, as well – Pembroke’s charm was really highlighted, especially by the coloured lighted balls in Old Quad that made it feel like something out of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I liked a few of the well thought-out, subtler details about the ball. For instance, it was really fun having a woman doing glitter on people’s faces, and having the man in the silver suit (even if he was a bit terrifying). Overall, I’d say that Pembroke ball was executed really well. It didn’t try to be too flashy, or do too much, but what was done, was done extremely well, which resulted in such a great night!
Overall rating: 9.5/10 –Maisie Vollans
Japan
I
We have Japanese language classes in Kobe Uni’s literature department every morning, and Hannah Kentridge we take two other lectures or seminars that are 'm Hannah, and I'm a second year studying taught in Japanese, along with Japanese students. This term I’m trying to learn some Japanese. I'm currently eight months into Farsi, which messes with your mind a bit when my year abroad in Kobe, Japan. it’s taught in Japanese!
I'm studying here at Kobe University with fellow Pembrokian, John Trusted, and the six other Japanese students. (There's only seven second year Japanologists in Oxford, and we are super close, like a weird little family!) This year has been hectic, exhausting, stressful and honestly so weird, but it's also been without a doubt the most fun I've ever had. I've been admiring this country from afar for about six years, and finally being able to live here is a bit of a dream come true.
With lessons finishing at noon every day, we have plenty of spare time to explore as much of Japan as we possibly can. Kobe University also organises a ton of special, subsidised trips for us, so the seven of us have really been all over the place. I’ve been skiing in Hokkaido, tickled deer in Nara, explored Hiroshima, and I went back to Miyazaki, the first place I ever visited in Japan. The boys have gotten very into hitchhiking, and I went on an amazing solo, no-
plans trip on buses and trains through Shikoku down to Kyushu. Japan is generally very safe, so it’s incredibly easy to travel alone, and pretty cheap too!
and learning more Japanese every day, is that I am constantly discovering more little nooks and crannies of Japanese culture. I love being able to understand the minute details of the conversations happening around me, and Of course, it’s not like Japan is exactly the feeling like I’ve discovered a new secret. Every place we all fantasised about from watching time I learn an obscure slang word, or the right anime. With a language barrier and huge place to stand in the convenience store, or the cultural differences, there are times where it’s way you put your shoes down when you enter a difficult to feel at home here. Sometimes, things house, I feel like I’m unlocking more and more that would be so simple in the UK take secrets that help me to bury myself as much as I absolutely forever because of the language, can into this culture. It feels like I’ve learned a and it can be incredibly mentally draining. As a code and entered a special club, and I suppose gay woman, I’ve never experienced any outright that’s why people choose to learn foreign homophobia here, but sometimes I do have to languages. explain myself a fair bit if I casually mention my girlfriend in conversation. It’s also clear that I went through the embarrassing anime-fan there are still a lot of things expected of phase in my early teens, and while it’s so painful Japanese women, just for being women. I think to look back on my obnoxious, embarrassing that because I’m foreign and white, I get away younger self, I’m incredibly grateful that she with a lot of things that might really not be took the initiative to start learning Japanese. socially acceptable if I was a Japanese woman. It’s thanks to her that I’ve been able to keep on learning, and been able to create my own little life here in Japan. But the thing that’s so good about living here
A Guide to Punting Tom Ash
C
roquet wasn’t enough for you, formal hall not good enough, sub fusc not enough of an absurdity, so you’ve decide to engage in another of the ridiculous practices involved in being an Oxford student: punting. Are you sure you want to do this? You could still minimise your separation from the rest of humanity… Ok then, let’s get started.
bloody freezing. So, get your shorts out, lay on the summer frocks, and don’t forget at least one straw boater per punt is a compulsory addition.
Next up, food. No punt trip is complete without a good spread of delectable treats. What exactly you take depends on how cliché you’re willing to be. Prosecco and strawberries? Perhaps not.
On to the punting itself. You will get some advice from the man who sets you on your merry way but you’ll be so worried about toppling in before you’ve even left the bank the chances of First of all, you’re going to want to look the part. you remembering it are similar to the chances You don’t want to look like any old punter after of you remembering the contents of a 9am lecture the night after a bop. The first thing to reall (sorry, had to be done). Now, punting is a summer activity so you need to act like it’s sum- member is that you mustn’t stand on the flat end. This is the Cambridge end. Enough said. mer, and in Britain this of course means wearing very few clothes even though it’s really
The master at work
Now you’re standing at the right end you can start pushing. The goal is to go in a straight line, of course, but as soon as you start moving you’ll start going left and right and all over the place. You should have some experience of this from walking back from Bridge so draw on your knowledge: stay calm and steady yourself. The key is after every push to use the pole as a rudder. Sweep it through the water to whichever side you want to turn towards. So, if you want to go left, give it a leftwards swipe, trying not to hit any ducklings. You should now be well on your way.
The only peril that remains once you’ve mastered this technique, except a duck stealing your
sandwich (careful, much like a billed Blackbeard, they’re not afraid to make an on-board attack) is the phenomenon of the sticky pole. Occasionally, the mud will try to claim a pole and it will be left sticking upright in the ground, like a disappointing Excalibur. Don’t try to hold on at this point or you’re about to feel the cool embrace of the Cherwell as you go with your metal friend.
Finally, if you’re feeling confident, the crowning glory of any punt trip is to hop over the bridge at Magdalen College School and drop back down into the punt. But make sure you trust those at the helm or you may end reliving the post-exams plunge all too soon.
A threatening duck is spotted on the horizon
An Ode to Colin (the porter) Carolina Earle Pre-Michaelmas term (twenty-sixteen) there was only one Colin who really made me beam. He is stuffed with chocolate, and is super-sweet: That cake from M&S is really the scrummiest treat element of my staple diet.
But then came Freshers, And an endless hide-and-seek With that ridiculous SALTO card all through the week.
And so after many a dinner of mysterious stodge, down I would trundle (knees quaking) to the terrifying “plodge.”
I was sure that after lost-key x3, That this was the last Pembroke would see of me…
…Or at least that’s what I was told by a mysterious fellow, But after a big old chuckle, it was obvious he was really quite mellow.
Colin (the porter), what can I say? Thank you for saving a shoeless JCR member on many a day.
You also made me roar with laughter When you jumped out the way (screaming this was the end) As I illegally charged out of college, steering my bike round the bend.
But all (super lame) jokes aside, With your CCTV expertise, (you told us once how you averted your eyes to a cheeky art gallery strip-tease) You are the definition of Pembroke Pride: You are renowned through the ages - far and wide.
What are we to do without your watchful eye? And your understanding sigh, As we tell you stories of the late-night library sesh (and otherwise), of which you already know?
Colin (the porter), the M&S caterpillar may be sweet, But he gets sickly, And though it’s quite a feat I always regret the morning after when I’ve devoured everything but his feet…
You are wonderful and lovely through and through, I guess Colin (the caterpillar) is so great because he’s a lot like you! Asking which Colin came first is like asking “the chicken or the egg,” But Colin (the porter) please do remember (and please don’t make us beg!) to come back for tea and some cake too.
Because Colin, (unlike the 80000000000 cal. mass-produced M&S caterpillar), there’s noone in this world like you.
We miss you, we love you, and no matter what anyone may think, You can take Colin out of Pembroke, but Colin will always be PINK.
Pembroke’s Summer VIIIs Campaign Chris Liang
Following the hire of the worst coach in history (who will go unnamed), a disrupted season for M3, courtesy of angry coaches, missing crew members and broken boats, led to a glorious set of spoons, and the loss of M3 undergraduate headship. Nevertheless, the M3 boys had a good old laugh, and will look to bump back Jesus M3, and hopefully Wolfson M3, in search of the elusive overall M3 headship next year.
P
CBC Men’s Squad endured a tough time at Summer VIIIs 2017, but nonetheless came out of it grinning. The fact that on Dream Bumps, Pembrokians were betting on boats behind our crews, perhaps signalled what was about to follow, but at least we took it in good humour. Sponsored by Bauer Group, and repping the #bumpsforbauer hashtag on social media, it is a shame that only the stacked M4 beer boat achieved any bumps, and even then, managed to a) bank it and b) produce a colossal crab. They still got M4 headship though.
A daunting task lay ahead of M1: the gunships of Keble and Christchurch, stacked with Blues rowers that may or may not have been financially incentivised, sat at 3rd and 2nd. Failing that, there was always Oriel, but even then, our bitter rivals maintained a good distance away. Still, we can always revel in the fact that at least there was #keble4bank.
What was difficult for M3, was equally as difficult for M2. Having also suffered the difficulty of last minute dropouts, the 2nd Men’s VIII sported completely new faces compared with the year before. Crews of old fought long and hard for M2 headship; and it was retained, but via the slightly different path of Oriel M2 simply being much worse than we were. Spoons. What we didn’t necessarily have in boat speed, we made up for in dedication, grit and terrible chat. While our VIIIs campaign couldn’t match the success of Torpids, we finish the year knowing that our squad has grown in quality and quantity, and that we are in good shape to have another crack at holding Headship and #2bd1. I’ll leave Kieran, Piers and Oscar to continue working on making PCBC better than any other college boat club on the Isis. Yeah Pembroke. Chris Liang PCBC Men’s Captain 2016/17
Phèdre
a replacement for the traditional tragic chorus.
Sarah Houillon The actors were highly dynamic and never relented from creating tension throughout the tarted as part of a project around the performance, but Jeevan Ravindran (Keble) issues evoked in class when dealing was especially compelling: playing a mature with translation theories, Racine’s woman slowly collapsing into madness and selfinfamous Phèdre as controversially loathing, they displayed a huge deal of translated by Ted Hughes was staged in the insightfulness in their part. From psychological Cloisters at the end of May 2017. Ted Hughes frailty to sickening longing and hardening selfchose not to respect the steady rhythm of the hatred, they were perfectly able to project a original alexandrins which Racine used for his wide range of emotional hues. Arthur Wotton tragedy, preferring a blend of blank verse and did splendidly as Hippolytus, proud and yet free verse to boldly favour emotions and stage innocent, Tom Rawlinson stunningly starred as creativity. Arguably, his translation aims at his impulsive and fierce father, Theseus. debunking the stylistic frame which is Noticeable was Jon Berry playing Theramene, quintessential to Racine’s powerful who mesmerized the audience with the account incantations. His translation suggests he was of Hippolytus’ death in the last act. His more interested in revitalizing the dramatic interpretation was remarkably lively and points at stake in the story, while some compelling as his speech is a long hypotyposis. passages clearly indicate he also took good The role of Oenone, Phedre’s good-willed maid care in respecting some of the points which whose dubious acts give room for ambiguity were vividly associated with Ancient Greek was played by Hannah Kessler whose tragedy (such as the emphasis of the integrity interpretation added to the general ambiguity of a bloodline and the social and political fostered by the text itself, and by the work we consequences of being a foreigner). Many did on the theme of division. Other female undergraduates in French or in Classics from characters also highlighted the divide between various colleges took a keen interest in taking the world of men and that of women: Julie part in this, whether cast or crew, as well as Dequaire’s interpretation of Aricia as both graduate students whose passion for stage and strong and caring, her maid Ismene (Izzy Troth) poetry was equally inspirational. being zesty and light in stark contrast with her, and Panope, whose equally contrastive comical apparitions underlined the tragic fate awaiting Seb Dows-Miller (Merton) did an outstanding the characters. job with the lights and sounds, making the most of the natural light at sunset and then, with the increasing darkness around the stage, skilfully Special thanks for this fun project to Nancycreated an eerie scenery which enabled the Jane Rucker who did her best to advise the tragedy to unfold all the more relevantly. The directors and producers as well as possible to costume themselves were well-designed to stage this play in the best possible conditions. strike as uncannily symbolistic: Phedre’s deep red dress gradually torn and stained as the character slowly comes to her own downfall was particularly noteworthy, thanks to Tsvetana Myagkova, Lewis Hunt and Imogen Huxford. The musicians Claire Frampton and Patrick Hall were brilliantly directed by Matthew Gibson (Queen’s) who was the music director and did an excellent work on music as
S
Photos: Sofia Blanchard