Summary To mark the 20th anniversary of Battersea Arts Centre’s seminal Playing in the Dark season in 1998 and the launch of a new book Theatre in the Dark by Martin Welton and Adam Alston, BAC and Queen Mary University of London are presenting a Theatre in the Dark week in February 2018.
As part of this week of events there will be an ‘in the dark’ curated Scratch Night on Friday 9th February at 7.30pm.
We are currently looking for submissions of ideas for that Scratch Night. There will be 4 artists or companies selected to perform.
Scratch Scratch is about testing new ideas in front of an audience in order to get feedback, to see what works and what doesn’t. It is about taking risks in a supportive and positive atmosphere and learning through doing.
So we are looking for new ideas that need to be tested rather than pre-exiting work or polished pieces.
The Parameters • The pieces should be no more than 10 minutes • The Scratch Night will take place in the Council Chamber – more information on the space and the set up below. • The Scratches should require limited tech. • We will provide a blacked out space, a PA and a basic lighting rig. • The artists chosen will have half an hour to have a technical rehearsal during the afternoon before the Scratch Night. • It is an ‘in the dark’ Scratch Night so ideas should explore darkness or gloom although it doesn’t have to be dark from beginning to end. • Selected artists/companies will be expected to think through the health and safety implications of their idea.
The Space The Council Chamber is a room which is about 16 metres long and 10 metres wide with a high ceiling.
The space will be set up in a simple, 3-sided thrust formation with seats on the flat – no rake. There will be a decent-sized stage area – exact dimensions TBC.
Money There will be a fee of £500 for each artist/company asked to do a Scratch.
Application process • Fill in an application form by visiting https://goo.gl/forms/xlhGGitrK3ABHON73
• You can submit your ideas in writing and/or video
• Deadline: 10am Monday 8th January
• Applicants will be informed no later than Wednesday 11th January.
American writer John D’Agata is the author of About a Mountain (2011) and The Lifespan of a Fact (2012) and is editor of Graywolf Press’s three-volume New History of the Essay. He has received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment of the Arts, and is Director of the Nonfiction Writing Program at the University of Iowa, where he is M.F. Carpenter Professor of Writing. D’Agata will read from his work and be in conversation with Patrick Flanery.
Click on the link above for more info & to book your place. Andrew Simmonds is currently an MA student at QM but previously spent 35 years as a Barrister, he became a QC and later a deputy High Court Judge. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the realities of life as a barrister. N.B. This discussion will not focus particularly on how to become a barrister.
For those of you interested in public service e.g. with the Civil Service, here is an alternative but fantastic opportunity: the Graduate Development Programme will appeal to those with an interest in politics, public policy, and the constitution, and the scheme will give you the experience and skills you need to develop into a future leader of the organisation.
There are lots of interesting jobs available via our JobOnline site: http://www.careers.qmul.ac.uk/jobs/index.html (login with normal QMplus details) & select all of the criteria down the left hand side relevant to your interests . If you are going for individual entry level graduate jobs starting next summer, these are unlikely to be advertised until April onwards. However there are still LOTS of graduate schemes available in general business, marketing, retail, consumer research etc.
Currently on JobOnline here is a handful of Grad schemes that are available:
Sky Commercial
BT Product Management
BT Client Service
Conde Nast Advertising Sales
TK Maxx Merchandising
Think Ahead: Graduate route into Mental Health Social Work
Marriott (hotels) Voyage Programme
BA Research and Analytics
National Grid Communications
London Stock Exchange Business Programme
Ipsos Mori Research
Attention 2nd years – Summer Internships etc
There are some interesting paid internships available now for Summer 2018 via our JobOnline site: http://www.careers.qmul.ac.uk/jobs/index.html (login with normal QMplus details) . Individual job opportunities will come up nearer to the summer, so keep an eye on the site.
Current examples include:
The Met Office looking for HR or Marketing Interns
🍑 The name of PEACH’s second collection of the academic year has been decided – Oscillations. 🍑
We are looking for creative work related to the theme of frenetic energy, uncontrollable emotion and a wild whirling of states. Please send all submissions to the email address below. To have your work published you must be a member, and have payed your £3 subscription. This can be done by following this link https://www.qmsu.org/groups/10061/.
Also a big thank you to the truly talented Julia Lou Moe, who drew the fantastic image you see on the poster below.
Do you dare disturb the universe? 🍑
The Society for Theatre Research invites submissions for the 2018 New Scholars Essay competition, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Society’s foundation.
The competition is open to postgraduate students, academics with an institutional affiliation, and independent scholars, but not undergraduates. Entrance is restricted to scholars who have had no more than one article previously published in a refereed journal. Entrants do not need to be members of the STR or to reside in the UK
Welcome to the festive edition of our English and Drama newsletter. The picture above is of our Drama graduates MEGANDALEX ahead of their show Bodies (broken 4 u) at Camden People’s Theatre in January.
Conference organisers, Martin Welton and Penelope Woods, are keen to encourage dialogue amongst artists and academics across a range of disciplines beyond theatre and performance studies and internationally.
Selector Responder: Sounding out the Archives Friday 8 December 2017 19.00 – 21.30
Knowledge Centre, The British Library
Ten quick-fire responses to sound collections from the British Library and beyond, curated by our very own Drama lecturer Ella Finer.
Our very own Dr. Benjamin Poore will be presenting ‘Estranging Objects: Fetish – Artwork – Freud’, exploring the unconscious forces shaping our encounters with surrealist objects. ‘ at this DaDa inspired Royal Academy lates event.
Digitising William Godwin’s Manuscripts Monday 11 December, 17:30-19:30, V&A Museum
For the first time, the sole surviving manuscripts of Political Justice and Caleb Williams, by the anarchist philosopher William Godwin (1756-1836), will be digitised and made freely available on the Shelley-Godwin Archive. Celebrate this collaborative project announced in April 2017 by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), and Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities (MITH).
Negative Theatrics: A Conversation with Writer and Director Julia Jarcho Tuesday 12 December, 18:00-20:00, QMUL – Mile End
Join us for a reading and conversation with the Obie-award winning playwright and scholar Julia Jarcho – who will be in London for the UK-premiere of her play Grimly Handsome at the Royal Court Theatre.
Writers @QMUL: John D’Agata reading & in conversation with Patrick Flanery Friday 15 December, 18:00, Arts One Lecture Theatre , QMUL – Mile End
On 15 December at 6pm acclaimed essayist John D’Agata will be reading and in conversation with Patrick Flanery. D’Agata is the author of About a Mountain (2011) and The Lifespan of a Fact (2012) and is editor of Graywolf Press’s three-volume anthology series New History of the Essay.
Save the date for these events
Queen Mary Eighteenth-Century Studies Seminar 2017-18: Peter de Bolla on Distributional Concept Analysis (Tuesday 12 December). More info
Raphael Samuel Memorial Lecture 2017:
Peter Burke: Two Diasporas: the place of exiles in the history of knowledge (Wednesday 13 December). RSVP here
Queen Mary Centre for Religion and Literature Seminars (Wednesdays from 24 January) and Conference (Friday 6 July). Download the programme
1. Our students Charlotte Stockton and Adna Ahmed are working on the Mayor’s Entrepreneur Competition 2017. As well as a £20k prize for the winner to bring their idea to life, the competition can improve skills and future employability, and offers free mentoring and workshops from business experts (and there is the chance for students to pitch their ideas Dragon Den’s style at City Hall).
2. The story of Joseph Merrick re-told in an immersive Whitechapel tour app with a script written by our very own Nadia Valman.
3. Discover the academic side of one of our favourite terms; Schadenfreude, in this article by our very own Shahidha Bari and why not listen to her round up of the Being Human Festival on BBC Radio 3 here.
4. Listen to the history of QMUL and The People’s Palace in this interesting podcast here. The original Mile End site hosted a vibrant calendar of social events and facilities, including swimming baths, concerts and a winter garden enclosed in glass.
Our very own Dr. Benjamin Poore will be presenting ‘Estranging Objects: Fetish – Artwork – Freud’, exploring the unconscious forces shaping our encounters with surrealist objects. ‘ at this DaDa inspired Royal Academy lates event.
It is finally here to have and to hold! Collect your free copy of Recollections, PEACH’s first collection of art, poetry and creative writing of the 2017-18 academic year. And attend a night of fantastic readings and tremendous art from the contributors who’s work has made it in to the collection. This event is free for all so come along, invite your friends.
Although attendance is free for everyone, as Recollections is a limited edition collection with only 150 unique copies available, we will soon be posting a link to where you can reserve your issue. To collect your issue you must attend the event, otherwise you forfeit your issue to another attendee. It is not necessary for you to have a PEACH membership, however priority will be given to those who do have a membership. You do not need to reserve an issue but chances are they are going to go quick.
Poetry London is recruiting a new General Manager.
Poetry London, founded in 1988, is a leading international poetry magazine published three times a year in Spring, Summer and Autumn, where new writers share pages with acclaimed contemporary poets.
The Position is part time, 3 days per week
Salary: £33 -35K per annum (pro rata)
Pay: London Living Wage, currently £9.75ph
Hours of work: 20-25 hours per week, fixed term until March 2018
We are looking for 2 upbeat and hardworking candidates with experience of working in a cinema or hospitality environment and a passion for customer service and film to join the team.
Opportunities & Volunteering
No listings this week. Please do get in touch if you hear of anything.
Calls for Papers
No listings this week. Please do get in touch if you hear of anything.
We try and keep these listings as accurate as possible but errors can occur. Please check with the relevant party before going to an event or submitting any personal information.
The Sexual Cultures Research Group is pleased to announce a public lecture by Prof. Lisa Downing titled “How Do I Love Me? Let Me Count the Ways…. On Female Narcissism, a Problem in the Psy Sciences.”
Thursday 30 November 2017, 5.30-7pm.
ArtsTwo Film and Drama Studio, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road E1 4NS
All welcome. No bookings taken. FREE. Refreshments served.
You are warmly invited to the English Postgraduate Research Seminar with Professor Ruth Livesey. The event takes place Thursday 30th November at 5.15 pm in the Lock Keeper’s Cottage, Mile End campus. All are welcome.
‘On Writing from the Middle: Middlemarch, the Midlands, and Forms of Realism’
Underbelly is a UK-based live entertainment company that runs several festivals and events across the country. Five guys named Moe in Marble Arch is a Major new revival of the Olivier award-winning, smash hit West End and Broadway Musical. The theatre has been designed specifically for the show complete with a wonderful authentic cocktail bar for pre and post show drinks. The band is playing, the bourbon is flowing, so come and join the party!
Bar staff:
-Must have an interest in theatre and be willing to get involved with the theme of the New Orleans themed bar.
-All staff should be friendly, bubbly and enjoy working as part of a team.
-Part time or Full time work is available.
Ultimately we are looking for those who are extremely hands on, guest focused, working at a fast pace to ensure the service and delivery at the bars is always at an exceptional standard.
Phakama (based at QMUL) are looking for five Young Creatives (aged 16-25) with previous experience of arts and/or drama to develop their skills and lead a week of workshops to a group of young people.
Rise Up is a paid opportunity for Young Creatives to work with professional artists and producers to learn the skills needed to lead a group of young people to plan and produce a public show.
The Young Creatives will get the chance to attend six skills based training workshops that will be led by a team of Phakama Artists.
The training will be followed by a 1-week hands on opportunity to put these skills into practice, delivering to and working with young people to develop a performance.
2018 will mark 100 years since women were able to vote. Phakama would like Rise Up 18 to broadly focus on either this theme or something similar, e.g. Rights, Voting, Women, Activism, Voice etc. The Young Creatives will choose the final theme in January.
The final event is shaped by whoever is taking part. Rise Up is your chance to share, explore and create something new.
TO APPLY PLEASE FILL IN THETHIS FORM AND SEND IT TO BIBI AT bibif@projectphakama.org
The deadline is 9am on Monday 11th December, all successful applicants will be notified by Thursday 14th December.
Calls for Papers
No listings this week.
We try and keep these listings as accurate as possible but errors can occur. Please check with the relevant party before going to an event or submitting any personal information.
Our very own Dr Nadia Valman was a key organiser of the ‘The Great Yiddish Parade’, which took place on 19 November 2017.
The event was a re-enactment of an 1889 protest march by Jewish immigrants in Victorian Whitechapel. That year, strikes were erupting all over the East End, and demonstrators demanded better conditions and wages for all East End workers.
The Great Yiddish Parade of 1889 used the medium of music, song and oratory to build solidarity and attract others to their cause. Their protest songs, in Yiddish — the language of Jewish immigrants — were recreated by a band of klezmer musicians and singers. At Mile End Waste, a strip of green space in Whitechapel where political rallies were held in the nineteenth century, speakers addressed the audience of participants and locals with oratory taken from East End political activists. In the photos below see east London’s forgotten heritage of protest being brought to life in poetry and song.
Thanks to the Being Human festival of the Humanties and QMUL Centre for Public Engagement. Photographs by Ralph Hodgson.
Nadia Valman and Julie Begum in Aldgate
Singer Brendan McGeever with the Great Yiddish Parade song sheet
Vivi Lachs and Julie Begum in Whitechapel
Lucie Glasheen gives song sheets to passersby
The parade passes Aldgate East station
The parade at Middlesex Street
Watching the parade in Whitechapel High Street
Passersby read the song sheet
A shopkeeper watches as the parade passes
Musical director Sarha Moore and musicians
The parade in Whitechapel
Watching the parade in Whitechapel Road
The parade approaches Mile End Waste
Oratory by the statue of William Booth, Mile End Waste
Carrie Hamilton as anarchist orator Emma Goldman
Julie Begum as investigative journalist Olive Christian Malvery
Rabbi Janet Burden of Ealing Liberal Synagogue
Organisers Nadia Valman and Vivi Lachs at Mile End Waste
Early career researchers seeking support for their application to the Leverhulme Trust’s Early Career Fellowship scheme are invited to get in contact with us from now [deadline 12 noon, 12 January 2018].
The School of English and Drama invites early career researchers seeking support for their application to the Leverhulme Trust’s Early Career Fellowship Scheme to submit to us:
An outline research proposal including
title
abstract (250 words)
statement of past and current research (250 words)
a two-page (A4) project outline
Up to one page of major publications (organised as published, submitted, and in preparation)
An academic CV of not more than 2 pages to demonstrate your research stature.
Please send the above to Dr Huw Marsh, Research Manager, at: sed-research@qmul.ac.uk by no later than 12 noon on Friday 12 January 2018.
All outline proposals will be considered by a School committee and applicants will be notified of the shortlisting outcome in the week of Monday 22 January 2018. Shortlisted candidates will be put forward for approval by the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty Executive, who will report their decisions by early February. The final deadline for submission of approved applications is 1 March by 4pm.
The School recommends that applicants make clear the following in applications (CVs and proposals):
the strength of your academic record (e.g. classifications, awards, time taken to complete your PhD, etc.)
the strength of your research record (e.g. publications; presentations; research leadership; if you make practice as research, indicate how it is research; etc.)
what research you will publish/disseminate through the fellowship
the importance of doing your fellowship in the School of English and Drama at QMUL (e.g. synergies with staff and research centres)
your proposal’s importance, originality, methods, critical contexts, resources, structure and outputs.
From Eirini: ‘A reminder that I am presenting Herpes this Friday at Chisenhale Dance Space, alongside Emma Bennett with What Matter. It’s Fiver Fridays, so please come along’
HERPES is a performance about desire, STI’s and fantasizing about the Duchess of Cambridge. It considers the ways in which we have been told that we either need to have a baby or stop banging the whole world. And if we don’t, we will, of course, get herpes.
HERPES departs from an anxiety to do with growing up and not wanting to settle down, or settle in; it deals with a refusal to get on with it, or get it together; it kind of says: I do not want to pull myself together, I do not want to come to my senses. I want to live my life as if it is mine – but it is mine, it is mine and yet I still struggle to come to terms with it and ignore my mother’s wishes, my father’s hopes for me, which are easily summed up: get a husband, a good job, have a baby, have a mortgage, be sensible, be sensible, be sensible.
We are looking for friendly team members to join our Box Office and Reception team, providing box office support (both in person and on the phone), as well as welcoming people to our building and dealing with email queries.
The Barbican Bars are looking to bring in a number of enthusiastic staff on a casual basis to provide support to the Bar Managers & Supervisors in the running of the Barbican’s Bars.
Volunteers needed for QM model trial with Dental School
As you will probably know the QM model will eventually include modules that students can take in which they collaborate on projects with those registered in other departments. We have been approached by the dental school about a possible collaboration in which Drama students will work with Dental students on a module that uses forum theatre, role-play, and other theatrical techniques to examine questions of medical consent, clinician/patient interaction and so on. The Dental school are really keen to run a small scale trial of some of this, and have kindly invited Drama students down to Whitechapel to get involved and give some preliminary thoughts to how we might collaborate.
I would be very grateful if this of you working with 2nd and 3rd year students this week could mention it to your classes, and ask any interested parties to please get in touch with me asap.
Interested students will need to attend an induction session on the 28th November (we may be able to arrange other times if necessary), and a workshop at the Dental School in Whitechapel on either Tuesday 5th December 14.00-17.00, Thursday 7th December 9.30-12.30 or 14.00-17.00, or Friday 8th December 9.30-12.30.
If any are interested, please could they email Martin O’Brien by 27th Nov and indicate which of the workshops they might be available for.
QCHALLENGE: become a driving force and develop the leadership skills and networks for your future | Deadline: 3 December
Apply to QChallenge London and you will work in a team to explore a major challenge for a London organisation with a focus on health, housing and transport. As you tackle your assigned challenge, you will meet leaders from global businesses, government and not-for-profits. Designed in partnership with Common Purpose, QChallenge London offers you the chance to engage with the working world and develop the skills, Cultural Intelligence and networks for your future. By participating, you’ll be in the first group of students to experience QChallenge London as it’s trialled for the QMUL Model – QMUL’s ground-breaking cross-curricular programme.
The programme will run from 5th February – 13th April 2018. This is an unpaid, voluntary programme.
Who can take part? QChallenge is open to all QMUL undergraduates. Postgraduate students are not eligible to apply.
How can I apply? To apply, please complete this online application form. Before applying, please read through the key dates featured on our website: http://www.careers.qmul.ac.uk/students/workexperience/items/qchallenge-london.html
Applications close at midnight on Sunday 3rd December.
Calls for Papers
No listings this week.
We try and keep these listings as accurate as possible but errors can occur. Please check with the relevant party before going to an event or submitting any personal information.
Queen Mary Archives at Queen Mary University of London have recently acquired the Ian Hinchliffe archive. To mark this acquisition, Afterlives is an evening of talks, screenings and performances that will consider archives and legacies in relation to performance art and live art, through the art and lives of four extraordinary and influential artists who died in recent years: Ian Hinchliffe, Rose Finn-Kelcey, Lol Coxhill and Roger Ely.
Padua is a brokerage firm. Katharina and Bianca are two sisters with senior positions in the company. It’s 2008. The recession hits. Bianca is well admired by suitors, whilst Katharina is too busy dealing with the struggling financial climate. After her father insists she marry Petruchio, a visiting employee with a hot-tempered nature, she is faced with keeping the company from falling into crippling debt whilst all the while living with a man who gains pleasure from her suffering.
Tickets: £6 (Regular) or £4 (QM Shakespeare members). An annual membership (QM Students) is £3 and this entitles you to discounts to our events.
Cast: Alice Wilson, Aoife Jane, Arjun Takhar, Charlie Spragg, Daniella Harrison, Freya Helton, Hannah Meyer, Marie Sadd, Max Griggs, Maximillian Chapman, Rhea Cosford and Sophie Howard.
Directed by Joseph Winer
Assistant Director: Thyrza Abrahams
Stage Manager: Samantha Yang
Lighting and Sound Design: Jordan Bassett and Stephanie Masserick
Costume Design: Alice Sinis
Writeidea Festival | Friday 17-Sunday 19 November | Ideastore Tower Hamlets | Free
The ninth Writeidea Festival, Tower Hamlets Council’s unique free reading festival, will take place at Idea Store Whitechapel over the weekend of 17 – 19 November 2017.
We have some fantastic speakers again this year including Stella Duffy, Alan Dein, The Gentle Author and Irenosen Okojie. FREE tickets are now available for all the events
Celebrate creativity for good. Find out how non-profits and individual action are driving social change. Be inspired and empowered by the actions of others. Discover opportunities to use your time and talent to help #createchange.
We are looking for friendly team members to join our Box Office and Reception team, providing box office support (both in person and on the phone), as well as welcoming people to our building and dealing with email queries.
One project in indexing and another photography based at this amazing archive of local history on the edge of Queen Mary campus.
Calls for Papers
No listings this week.
We try and keep these listings as accurate as possible but errors can occur. Please check with the relevant party before going to an event or submitting any personal information.
Welcome to the November edition of our English and Drama newsletter.
Please do let us know if you have any December news: sed-web@qmul.ac.uk.
Events
FEATURED EVENTS
Arts & Culture at QMUL Thursday 8 November, 18:00-20:00
The People’s Palace, QMUL – Mile End
Join us for a celebration of the arts and culture at Queen Mary University of London. Special guests include our very own Drama Professor Lois Weaver, QMUL Associate Research Fellow and performance artist Dickie Beau.
Speakers include:
Colin Bailey, Principal and President of Queen Mary University of London
Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A Museum
Stella Hall, Co-founder of the Green Room and leading festival director
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England
A Season of Bangla Drama 3-26 November
Various Venues
A Season of Bangla Drama, is now in its 15th year and throughout November, 13 plays with a British-Bengali perspective will bring classic and new stories to life on stages across Tower Hamlets. Physical theatre, dance and music will be used to overcome language barriers and reach new audiences. Queen Mary University of London is a key partner.
Other Shylocks Saturday 4 November
QMUL – Mile End, The Octagon, Queens Building
A symposium presented by the Centre for Global Shakespeare, Queen Mary University of London,
as part of “Shylock in and Beyond the Ghetto” supported by the European Commission under the
Creative Europe programme and sponsored by the Romanian Cultural Institute.
Literary Walks Seeing London through Migrants’ Eyes 4 and 18 November, times and locations vary
This autumn Nadia Valman (English) leads a series of free guided walks in collaboration with the Migration Museum Project exploring London through the eyes of migrant writers from the nineteenth century to the present.
November’s events focus on migrants in Bloomsbury and Caribbean migrants in the 1950s. All are welcome but registration is essential.
Also don’t miss The Great Yiddish Parade on 19 November. As part of the Being Human Festival 2017, Nadia Valman is restaging an 1889 protest march by Jewish immigrants in Whitechapel. Join the choir and band marching to klezmer beats and singing songs written in the 1880s in the East End to rouse workers to join together to fight exploitation. Also participating will be three local schools with whom we’ve been working this term. Anyone interested in the roots of radicalism and the culture of protest in east London is welcome to join the march, or just watch. Register here.
QMUL Centre for Sound Cultures Think Tank event Monday 13 November, 18:30
Arebyte Gallery, Canning Town
This is an open invitation to an exploratory event gathering together interested people in thinking through and defining the future scope of Queen Mary University of London’s newly formed Centre for Sound Cultures.
Email Ella Finer if you’re interested: e.finer@qmul.ac.uk.
Afterlives Thursday 16 November, 14:00-17:30
QMUL – Mile End, FADS, Arts Two Building
Queen Mary Archives at Queen Mary University of London have recently acquired the Ian Hinchliffe archive. To mark this acquisition, Afterlives is an evening of talks, screenings and performances that will consider archives and legacies in relation to performance art and live art, through the art and lives of four extraordinary and influential artists who died in recent years: Ian Hinchliffe, Rose Finn-Kelcey, Lol Coxhill and Roger Ely.
Family Album: A 4-way DJ set
Friday 24 November 2017, 17:00
The British Library, Kings Cross
Family Album is a 4-way DJ set by Marcia Farquhar and Jem, our very own Ella Finer(Drama) and Kitty Finer, all of whom work with vinyl in distinct ways. Each member of the family will mix sounds that they have individually contributed to the British Library Sound Archive over the years with other records of their own, and other’s, making. Part of the British Library’s Season of Sound.
Eirini Kartsaki: Herpes Friday 24 November, 19:30
Chisenhale Dance Space Drama’s Eirini Kartsaki presents, HERPES, a performance about desire, STIs and fantasizing about the Duchess of Cambridge. Also don’t miss Eirini’s book launch on Friday 1 December.
News
QMUL Honorary Fellow and Poet Daljit Nagra is interviewed by Rachael Gilmour in this video filmed in Oxford.
The Department of Drama signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Live Art Development Agency on 13 October 2017. Dominic Johnson said ‘The signing of the MOU formalises our relationship, and will hopefully enable and sustain lots more collaborations, opportunities for mutual learning, and related adventures in making, showing and thinking about live art and contemporary performance.’
Zara Dinnen has published a piece about Code on Screen in New Criticals ahead of her book which will launch in January 2018. Follow her on Twitter here.
A year abroad can really open up new opportunities and give you valuable life experience to take into your future career.
According to the UK Universities International Report (March 2017):
Graduates who were mobile during their degree were less likely to be unemployed (3.7% compared to 4.9%), and more likely to have earned a first class or upper second class degree (80.1% compared to 73.6%) and be in further study (15% compared to 14%).
Those in work were more likely to be in a graduate level job (76.4% compared to 69.9%) and earn 5% more than their non-mobile peers.
The study abroad experience is intense, and because of this special quality and the quality of emotional investment in this period students are likely to make particularly strong friendships and have particularly memorable experiences. There are all sorts of opportunities that students will find access to because of location or circumstance that they wouldn’t necessarily get in London- one former student was offered a role in a professional production in New York, students on exchange with Howard University have inbuilt work experience and opportunities on Capitol Hill with the US government, students in New York might seek out opportunities with the UN.
We’re delighted to announce that the following undergraduate BA (Hons) programmes now have a year abroad:
The University of Monash– Melbourne, Australia Semester 1 and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Semester 2 [pending approval]
Semester Abroad
Please note we are still offering our Semester Abroad in the second year of all of our courses with the following institutions:
Columbia University, New York; Howard University, Washington DC; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; The George Washington University, Washington DC; University of Miami, FL; University of Richmond, VA; The University of Texas at Austin; University of Melbourne; University of Sydney; The University of Toronto; University of Ottawa, Canada; The University of Auckland, NZ; University of Hong Kong; Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Seoul National University; Waseda University, Tokyo; Renmin University, Beijing.
Advice and Guidance
If you would like any advice on Study Abroad opportunities within the School of English and Drama please contact:
In my second year I took Renaissance Drama with the wonderful Kirsty Rolfe and for a weeks we had the pleasure to be lectured by Jerry Brotton. His speciality being maps, we had fascinating lectures in regards to mapping the renaissance globe and how early modern london viewed foreigners in plays such as Tamburlaine The Great. In June earlier this summer I went travelling through Italy for three weeks visiting cities from Naples to Rome, Pompei to Venice and while I was in Florence I came across a familiar face, or rather name. In the book shop inside the famous Uffizi Gallery, home to Botticelli’s ‘The Birth of Venus’ and Caravaggio’s ‘Medusa’, I came across our very own Jerry Brotton and his publication ‘A History of the World in Twelve Maps’. I couldn’t believe it! My travelling partner and another tourist we had met at the gallery didn’t believe me either that I had been taught by the man himself however on the first page it read ‘Professor at Queen Mary, University of London’. Of course I had to buy the book, and thoroughly enjoyed reading it on the train between Florence and Venice. I could hear Jerry’s voice as I read to myself, recognising his turn of phrase. No matter where you go in the world, QM apparently will go with you!
Alex Legge
Thanks to QM & Air Supply, I now work for artists & organisations that I admired & studied during my time there. Love you QM! #SEDstories ❤️
A post shared by Rima 🌲🌳 uk. (@pardonmywritings) on
Eleanor Rose Morrissey
One of my best QM memories: seeing Antony & Cleopatra with brilliant friends at the Globe, laughing as the heavens opened on us in true British style #theatre #shakespeare #theglobe #britishweather
Jessica Kendrixs
Studying English Literature i knew I would come across amazing novels written in periods beyond my life time and in places I never knew existed. I was always amazed by the novels I learnt each year and the beautiful stylistic techniques that each author individually created towards their work. However one book that resonated with me was My Place by Sally Morgan that I studied in Postcolonial Literatures in second year. The autobiography explores the young protagonist Sally telling us about the moment she discovered her aboriginal heritage, and understanding the decisions her mother and grandmother took to provide a safe home for their children. This book explores relationships, something I realised was so important during university, and female empowerment which I am pleased to have discovered a great department that continues to strengthen women (and men) to reach their greatest potential. Sally had an amazing support network with her family and I realised that I have one too with not only my family but the friends I made at university and also in the academics I met across the three years. I learnt a lot about myself but also others around me. My fellow students all see the literary works differently and it amazed me that one book can create hundreds of perspectives. I started university young and naive and looking for a place to belong. Sally at the end of the novel had discovered her place within a community that many have ignored for decades. She cemented the history of Aboriginals and the stolen generations into the public sphere, with Australian school children reading her book in their school curriculum. I discovered my place within the amazing SED community and the school of english and drama have cemented this new breadth of understanding and knowledge into my mind and heart. #SedStories
Zaina Brabani
Books, glorious books! One of the best things about studying English Literature is that so much of our time is spent just reading books, something that we would do as a pastime! Seeing some of the books I’ve read during my time at Queen Mary really makes me realise how far we’ve all come. You don’t always realise how day by day, your thinking is changing, but when I look back at the kind of thinker I was when I first came to QM and how my thinking is now, I realise that a lot has changed.
Besides the books, I love how I’m surrounded by teachers and students who love books and literature just as much as I do, and most of all, that they love to think critically. On no other course could you possibly have passionate, heated discussions about fictional characters! My best memories are having really meaningful discussions which left me thinking long after the lecture/seminar is over. Thank you to all the staff and students who make SED what it is and who have helped me to give expression to my thoughts, feelings and ideas through your inspiration in lectures and seminars.
Lucy Sofrouniou
There was so much reading to do, my cat learnt to become a living bookmark.
Anna Lily Dean
Rosie Vincent
Drama at Queen Mary has taught me to never apologise for my own work. If you come to study here, expect to make pieces that you’re embarrassed to tell your mum about but excited to tell your friend about. For example – An exhibition showcasing 52 vomit images captured on the streets of London. A.k.a. ‘London is Vomit’. ???????????????? #sedstories #bacstransfer #londonisvomit #qmul
Francesca Cross
After spending a year abroad, being a part of QMTC really helped me settle back into QM and meet new people. Being on the committee added a whole new dimension- it was like a full time internship, with all the responsibility that comes with it. Despite countless moments of thinking ‘oh my gosh, Edinburgh isn’t going to happen. I’m going to be the first treasurer in 22 years to not take everyone to Edinburgh fringe’, I managed it! The best thing about the trip was the people. We truly are like a family and certainly made a million memories. I promised myself that during my MA at QM I wouldn’t get involved with QMTC because of the time it takes up but I’m not sure I’ll be able to resist! Now over with the cringey stuff! Let’s end with a few of my favourite quotes from the fringe: ‘I’m on me holibobs’, ‘you can basically do everything’, ‘wooooow’. ❤ u guys xxx #SEDstories #fringe #Edinburgh #qmul #QMTC
Peter Whitehead
The time that the Arthurian Lit lecture had GoT spoiler slides. And that time Run the Jewels explained Hegel. Brilliant. #sedstories https://t.co/EJxuACdk5W
This week it’s a slightly different PGRS, as you are warmly invited to the attend the launch of ‘Decorating Dissidence: The Exhibition‘ and a round table discussion on the 2nd November. Please note, there is a venue change and this event will be held at The Arts Pavilion, Mile End, E3 4QY. All are welcome.
Limehouse Town Hall Consortium Trust has an opportunity for someone to join us part time for a year to support our work and the day-to-day running of Limehouse Town Hall. The Operations Co-ordinator will have strong project management, administrative and communication skills as well as experience and understanding of arts, culture and organising for change.
University Challenge Team Trials | 2 November | 11-2pm | Students’ Union Hub
Calls for Papers
No listings this week.
We try and keep these listings as accurate as possible but errors can occur. Please check with the relevant party before going to an event or submitting any personal information.
Welcome back for your weekly events and opportunities digest #5 for the autumn semester.
Please do get in touch if you have any listings for our next edition coming out on Wednesday 1 November 2017.
Events
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Arts Launch at QMUL | Tuesday 8 November 2017 | 6pm | QMUL – Mile End | Free
Join us for a celebration of the arts and culture at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). The event will make the official launch of the university’s arts and culture strategy.
Speakers and performers
Colin Bailey, Principal and President of Queen Mary University of London
Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A Museum
Stella Hall, Co-founder of the Green Room and leading festival director
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England
Performances include:
Lois Weaver, performance artist and Professor of Contemporary Performance at QMUL
‘My Saree’s Story’ by British/Bangladeshi drama practitioner Rokshana Khan
The Chinese Music Studio
Bangladeshi singer and song writer Saida Tani
Poet Nick Makoh
Dickie Beau, QMUL Associate Research Fellow and performance artist
Decorating Dissidence: Feminism, Modernism and the Arts will approach modernism as a longue durée to explore the enduring importance of female contribution to the arts as political protest throughout the twentieth century to now. We aim to intervene in contemporary, interdisciplinary debates concerning the boundaries of modernism and the direction of feminist modernist studies.
Julia Twigg will present ‘Clothing and the Embodiment of Age Identities: The Cultural Turn in Age Studies’.
#QMSexCult presents: Campbell X in conversation with kitt price | Wednesday 1 November | 6pm | QMUL – Mile End, Arts One Hitchcock Cinema
The Sexual Cultures Research Group present its first event of the new academic year: ‘Queer Poetics and the Disarray of Gender’: a conversation between the filmmaker Campbell X and dr. kitt price. The event will also include screenings of films by Campbell X.
Volunteer English and Literacy Coordinator at Akwaaba | Deadline: 28 October
Every Sunday, people come from all across London to attend Akwaaba and the English classes we provide. Our members love these classes and we want someone to build on that.
We try and keep these listings as accurate as possible but errors can occur. Please check with the relevant party before going to an event or submitting any personal information.
Shahidha Bari will co-host a special studio discussion looking at how the themes of loss and rediscovery play out in discipline across the humanities, featuring research from
In this event, Dr Matthew Ingleby will lead a panel discussion exploring the role urban geography has played historically in revising the bounds of human sympathy. Bloomsbury has been associated with philanthropic innovation since 1739, when Thomas Coram established the Foundling Hospital in fields on what was then the northern edge of London. The Foundling was followed by a plethora of pioneering charitable organisations, such as Great Ormond Street Hospital for children (founded 1852), the first of its kind in the UK. Both of these institutions popularised new ways of thinking about the recipients of their care, and each became fashionable within London society partly through their endorsement by cultural celebrities, including the composer Handel and the novelist Dickens.
Waterloo Station, Waterloo national rail station, Waterloo Road London, London SE1 8SWUnited Kingdom+ Google Map
The dramatic backdrop of Waterloo Station, point of arrival in London for Caribbean migrants in the 1950s, provides the setting for this guided walk. Experience the vibrant writing of Trinidadian-born novelist Sam Selvon, who evokes the expectations and apprehensions of new arrivals at Waterloo, as well as feelings of loss and nostalgia. Our stroll around the station and its environs will take in Selvon’s lyrical and witty reflections on London Transport, on railway travel and waiting in stations, on the pleasure of chance meetings and the alienation of encountering a city of strangers. In partnership with the Migration Museum Project.
Assemble at the Left Luggage office, Waterloo rail station. The office is located close to the Waterloo Bridge exit from the concourse.
‘The great Yiddish parade’ is a re-enactment of a protest march by Jewish immigrants in Victorian Whitechapel, demanding better conditions for all East End workers. Experience the urgency, fervour and intensity of political culture in the Victorian East End. Join a band of klezmer musicians and singers performing newly discovered Victorian Yiddish protest songs in their original setting. Participation is warmly encouraged, and song sheets will be provided (no knowledge of Yiddish is required). March from Aldgate to Mile End Waste (about 1 mile), where you will find out more about east London’s forgotten heritage of protest in poetry and song.
Book online via the event title links above for all events.