News - Goldsmiths, University of London

Goldlink
The magazine of the Goldsmiths Society
Issue 25
Keeping you in touch with Goldsmiths
Ben Pimlott Building
Opening
Julian
Clary
Development
News
July 2005
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welcome
Welcome
from the Chairman
Welcome
from the Warden
Welcome to this latest edition of Goldlink and my first as the
new Warden of the College. I am encouraged to know that so
many of you like to keep in touch with the College’s progress
and hear about what is going on.
I am a social historian and spent many years at the University
of Essex, the last five as Pro-Vice-Chancellor, before becoming
Chief Executive of the Arts & Humanities Research Board in
2002 and taking it to full research council status just before
I left in April to join Goldsmiths.
Goldsmiths is an immensely exciting institution. I’ve been struck
by how proud staff and students are of the College, a pride
shared by those who have been here in the past. It is lively
and innovative, operating at the cutting edge of new ideas
in so many areas, in creative and cultural practice and analysis
but a great deal more as well.
Like all university institutions, Goldsmiths faces challenges in
the coming years. It must strengthen its strategic focus and
its financial situation if it is to succeed in the face of those
challenges, but it is such a remarkable place with such a fine
national and international reputation that I know that we will
do so.
Goldsmiths has recently strengthened its alumni programme
and we are in the process of writing to each of you for
information that will enable us to improve the frequency and
the relevance of our contact with you. The Development Office
is keen to improve the way former students interact with the
College, whether by your offering to pass on careers advice, or
by sending you information about further study opportunities
and invitations to College events.
I’m proud and excited to have joined Goldsmiths, and
look forward to meeting many of you in the future.
Professor Geoffrey Crossick
Warden
Welcome to the new issue of Goldlink.
A special welcome goes to Professor Geoffrey Crossick,
the new (and eleventh) Warden of the College, who takes
the place of the late Professor Ben Pimlott. He is a historian
who has specialised in the social history of Britain and Europe
in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Goldsmiths is fortunate
to have such an eminent figure as its new Warden.
If you have not visited the College recently, come and see
the newly opened Ben Pimlott Building, which will be open
to the public as part of Open House London on the 17-18
September. The building houses visual arts, computing, and
media laboratories. The contemporary ‘scribble’ has made it
a striking feature on the sky line in this part of South-East
London.
We are always interested to hear where our alumni are and
what they are doing. This edition features Goldsmiths alumni
who have attracted attention from the national press. You will
also find news from the Students’ Union, including information
about an associate membership card giving alumni access to
sports and bar facilities.
I am delighted to welcome Claire Norden, who will be
working with Stephen Clarke in the Development Office.
As Alumni and Events Officer, Claire will work specifically
on the alumni programme.
We’re grateful to all who have returned our questionnaire and
offered their services to the Society. It is always important for
us to maintain contact with you and for you to tell us what
you are doing – and how you are doing!
Revd Dr Peter Galloway
Chairman of the Goldsmiths Society
contents
3
News
Features
College News
6
Dean Lecture 2005
7
Ben Pimlott Building Opening
4
Development News
8
An Audience with Julian Clary
5
Design Shows 2005
9
Students’ Union News
10
Goldsmiths Society Services
12
AlumniVaria
13
Alumni News
14
Obituaries
15
Page 4
Page 9
Page 5
Compiled and edited by Claire Norden, Stephen Clarke and Rosie Dewhurst. Designed by
Elizabeth Ogden, Reprographic Unit. Printed by The Colour Works Printing Company
Data Protection
All information submitted will remain confidential to Goldsmiths and is kept in accordance with the
provisions of the 1998 Data Protection Act. Your information will be used to keep you informed
about alumni and fundraising activities at Goldsmiths and for the promotion of benefits and services
Page 10
Contributions are welcomed and any editorial material should be addressed to the Development
Office. Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope if you would like your material returned.
No responsibility can be taken for any loss or damage.
The Goldsmiths Society, Development Office, Goldsmiths College, University of London, New Cross,
London SE14 6NW, UK. Telephone 020 7919 7069, fax 020 7919 7903, e-mail goldsoc@gold.ac.uk,
www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/alumni/
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feature
Ben Pimlott Building Opening
‘Sophisticated but very Goldsmiths…’
On 21 June nearly 400 people gathered for the official opening
of the Ben Pimlott Building. The impressive official opening was
attended by local councillors, funding partners, representatives
from other higher education establishments in London and
beyond, honorary fellows, alumni, staff and students.
Guests were invited to tour the building where, on the top three
floors and ground floor the undergraduate visual arts shows
where exhibited. There were demonstrations in the digital studios,
demonstrations in the Visual Arts Laboratories and displays in the
Centre of Computation, Cognition and Culture which allowed
guests to have a real insight into how the building was being used.
The guests left impressed, not just with the building but also with
the friendliness of the event.
In his welcome speech Professor Geoffrey Crossick praised Ben’s
vision and tireless work which captured one exciting dimension
of Goldsmiths. Professor Crossick also mentioned how the new
building sends out powerful messages, not just to the College but
to the community around Goldsmiths and the creative industries.
Goldsmiths alumnus, Turner Prize winner and sculpture Antony
Gormley performed the opening ceremony. He commented on
how Goldsmiths was like a work in progress, always pushing the
boundaries, with the scribble on the top of building setting it apart
from other institutions and reaffirming Goldsmith creativeness.
There was just one person missing from the celebrations, the late
Ben Pimlott, who would have been very proud of the building.
The Ben Pimlott Building defiantly serves as a fine tribute to his
commitment to Goldsmiths.
Dave Harvey
Below left to right, Jean Seaton (Ben’s wife), Antony Gormley, Professor
Geoffrey Crossick (Warden), Will Alsop (Architect), Cllr Steve Bullock (Mayor)
feature
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An Audience with Julian Clary
On Tuesday 14 June former Goldsmiths student Julian Clary
returned to the College for the first time, since graduating in
English and Drama in 1980. His opening comments, in front of a
packed George Wood Theatre were of surprise, that in over 20
years the Drama Department hadn’t changed. The theatre seat he
sat on, on his first day was still there, together with the chairs in
the dressing room; he even thought they might be using the same
Lightbulbs! Although he did recall the George Wood Theatre being
bigger, when it fact it appeared very intimate.
Julian Clary above and right, with Goldsmiths alumni,
Margaret Steinitz and Michael Pipe
Since appearing as Elliot in ‘Private Lives’ on the George Wood
Theatre stage, Julian has gone on to be one of Goldsmiths most
successful alumni, and one of the most recognisable figures from
the world of entertainment today. He starred in the television
series Strictly Come Dancing getting through to the final, and has
recently presented the National Lottery live. A far cry from the
timid, tee-total young man that turned up at Goldsmiths in 1977
after being taught by monks at St Benedict’s in Ealing.
Julian talked about his new autobiography A Young Man’s Passage
recalling and reading tales form his school days right up to the
infamous comment he made about Norman Lamont in 1993.
He recalled his time at Goldsmiths with fondness and recounted
his student antics. Whilst here, Julian, together with a couple of
friends, virtually took over the Drama Society, tailoring it to their
needs and choosing the productions. He began to drink beer,
made friends and learnt how to dress!
Dave Harvey
Julian went on to talk more about his personal life and career,
prompting laughs from the audience in the George Wood,
followed by a question and answer session.
When asked what he would be doing in 30 years time, Julian was
unsure he would still be around! However in 20 he hoped to be
living in a house he designed, built on an acre of land he recently
bought in Nicaragua.
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news
Arts Award for Goldsmiths
’Pontic’ Lyra player
Matthaios Tsahourides, a Greek Pontic Lyra player currently studying for an MPhil/PhD in
performance related studies, has won one of five 2005 Arts Foundation Awards. The awards,
which are made on the basis of talent and need, assist artists in England, Scotland, Ireland
and Wales with living and working expenses. Matthaios received his award in the instrumental
category, which was aimed at musicians playing in a non-western tradition who live and work
in the UK.
The Arts Foundation was established in 1990 and supports talented and emerging artists who
have demonstrated commitment and professional standing in their art form. Matthaios is
delighted with the award: ’It is a big achievement for all of us here in the music department;
this is not just a personal award! It is also an international success for Greek traditional music
and the first one for the Pontic Lyra, a musical instrument that is still very little known in the
world music scene.’
Left to right, Professor John Baily, Konstantinos Tsahourides, Matthaios and Greek singer Athena
The University of London
External Programme
Major Research Grant for
Head of Anthropology
The University of London,
through its External Programme,
has a long history of delivering
distance learning. The
Programme began in 1858;
today there are over 32,000
External students studying in
over 180 countries.
Goldsmith’s head of anthropology, Professor Nicholas Thomas, is
thrilled to have been awarded £530,000 by the prestigious Arts and
Humanities Research Council for his project ’Melanesian art: objectives,
narratives and indigenous owners’ The project is to be directed by
Professor Thomas and Dr Lissant Bolton, Senior Curator of Pacific
and Australian Collections at the British Museum. It will undertake a
new analysis of the art of the western Pacific, focussing on a largely
unstudied collection in the British Museum. The project research will
inform two major exhibitions: ’Oceania’, curated by the Hayward
Gallery for 2007, which will deal with art and the cross-cultural
encounters across the Pacific; and the development of the British
Museum’s Pacific Gallery due to open in 2008. ARHC funding will
support the project for five years until March 2010.
Students are free to study
wherever, whenever and
however they like. You choose
the rate and pace of your own
study. This makes it ideal if you
need to travel frequently, have
busy periods at work, or need to
take time out to spend with your
family and friends. Up to 5 years
is allowed for most postgraduate
qualifications and examinations
can be taken in any one of 660
examination centres worldwide.
Over 60 postgraduate
qualifications are offered. Subject
areas include: Education, Dentistry,
Health, Human Resources, Law,
Livestock, Finance, Economics,
as well as Management-related
degrees including an MBA.
For further information please
contact enquiries@lon.ac.uk or
go to www.londonexternal.ac.uk
Alan Little
Memorial
Prize
Dr Carl Levy, Jennifer Buller,
Amy Greene, Valerie Little and
Professor Frances Heidensohn
Congratulations to Amy Green, Jennifer Bullen and Peter Peri who
have been awarded the Alan Little Memorial Prizes for best MA
Dissertations. Alan used to work at Goldsmiths and became Head
of what was the Department of Social Science and Administration.
The prize giving was attended by Alan’s widow Valerie, together with
Dr Carl Levy, Head of the Politics Department and other members of
College staff.
Peake Awards – Innovation &
Success in University Teaching
learning experience of students
who come into the department
via PACE
The Peake awards, recognise
members of staff for excellence
in teaching. They are funded,
through an external contribution,
specifically to reward innovation
and success in university teaching.
Nominations are invited from
academic Heads of Department,
with each department being
allowed to nominate one
candidate.
Ms Anna Furse – Drama
Department, for her project
Performance Research Forum
which is a meeting ground for
contemporary practitioners,
researchers, students and staff
within the Drama Department.
Ms Linda France – Media and
Communications Department,
for her role in supporting the
Dr Pam Odih – Sociology
Department, for her outstanding
teaching and research work.
Professor Geoffrey Crossick
Warden, Goldsmiths College
Thursday 27 October 2005
Lecture 5.30pm Reception 6.30pm
Ian Gulland Lecture Theatre
Whitehead Building
Goldsmiths College
University of London
New Cross
London SE14
Admission is free to everyone (including public).
To book a place please contact
Claire Norden
e-mail c.norden@gold.ac.uk
or telephone 020 7919 7069
Roderick Coyne
DEAN LECTURE 2005
The myths that shape us:
Higher Education Policy
in England today
8
news
News from the
Development Office
The last time I wrote for Goldlink we were engaged in the process of
establishing the Development Office. We have now completed this work
and I am happy to announce that a great deal of progress has been made
over the last year. My first task, following my appointment in July 2004,
was to write a comprehensive interim fundraising strategy that clearly
defined our focus over the past year. From the beginning It was clear that
we needed to recruit some core staff to assist Stephen and I in our work.
Claire Norden joined us in January 2005, as Alumni and Events Officer.
Claire works full-time and joins us from Trinity College of Music, where
she was working in the Development Office. Matthew Grew works for the
Development Office in his role of Clerical Support Assistant, a shared post
with the Warden’s Office. They have both settled in very well and are
doing an excellent job in advancing the work of the Development Office.
The next task that faced us was to develop and launch an Alumni
Acquisition Programme, to find out where you are all are and what you
were all doing. The response was enormous; letters and forms flooded
into the Development Office in response to our mailings. Furthermore
we have witnessed a favorable response to our requests for assistance for
our current students, with many of you offering to come back to make
presentations like Julian Clary (Drama and English 1977-80), offer work
experience opportunities such as Kanya King (English and Drama 1989-92,)
CEO of MOBO and take part in our new mentoring programme like Katie
Lyons (Drama and Theatre Arts 2000-03,) Verity Woolnough, (Drama and
Theatre Arts 2000-03). Finally a great many of you said that you are
interested in networking opportunities that we can offer, an area that is
rapidly developing and some of you said that you might be able to assist
with recruitment opportunities. We would like to thank all those who are
helping us to make the time that our students spend with us, here at
Goldsmiths, valuable.
The degree shows have been taking place during June and July and it has
been lovely to see so many of our alumni supporting our current students.
We have enjoyed further success, by securing some advance donations
where we already enjoy a close relationship with the donors, securing new
bursary awards and core funding for our alumni acquisition programme.
We are extremely grateful to all of our donors for their support. We are
now busy working on new projects that require external funding and will
keep you updated of our progress.
By the time you read this article the Development Office will have
launched its new web-based database – Goldsmiths Reconnected,
password protected, this will allow you all to update your details, find
old friends and keep up to date with College news and take part in
exciting events. The letter accompanying this edition shows how you
can use the system effectively
In May we welcomed the new Warden, Professor Geoffrey Crossick to
the College, Professor Crossick is committed to the work of Development
Office and we look forward to working with him to deliver the College’s
strategic plans for the future.
Lastly, I would like to encourage yet more of you to take an active
involvement in our work – together we can make a real difference.
Rosie Dewhurst
Director of Development
news
Big Fish, Little Fish, Cardboard Box
Goldsmiths Design Shows 2005
This year Goldsmiths Design shows took centre stage amongst
other university and colleges design shows in an exhibition entitled
’Free Range 05’. Free Range has been running for five years and has
become a recognised hunting ground for creative industries to discover
inspirational talent. Its aim is to help graduates climb the next rung
of the ladder through exposure to as many industry players as possible.
Held in the Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London, Goldsmiths’
students called their exhibition ’Big Fish, Little Fish, Cardboard Box’.
In a vast gallery space 47 students exhibited work that aimed to
discuss complex relationships between people, places and things,
engaging in their inter, multi or trans-disciplinary activities.
Exhibitions ranged from designer clothing which responded to wet
weather, to a specially designed bottle top to enable two glasses of
wine to be poured at once. Christopher Van Dyke based his work on
the ’Sociability of the Campfire’, whilst James Eades reminded young
people living in our capital city the value of green space.
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10
news
The Students’ Union; 2004-05; continuing
to support the needs of students.
As an alumnus you are likely to have experienced the Students’ Union in at least one
of its many guises; whether through one of the many sports and societies, seeking
advice or representation, or possibly in the pursuit of light refreshment in one of the
bars. But whatever your experience, and whenever you graduated, you can be sure
that the Union continues to offer first class support and opportunities to its members.
The following is just a snapshot of a dynamic, successful Union on the move.
In November, the Students’ Union was involved in the Quality Assurance Agency
(QAA) Audit of the College. The Union provided a Student Written Submission
as part of this, and participated in the week-long visit from the QAA in March.
We are pleased to say that the College received ’broad confidence’ from the
QAA; the highest level possible.
The Union’s publicity continues to develop and can boast the Best Student Magazine
according to The Mirror after our magazine, Smiths, picked up the top award at their
annual awards ceremony as well as coming runner up at the prestigious EMAP awards.
Throughout the year the Union has also put on numerous events for all tastes.
This included a range of music, with a gig by Athlete and a month of live music
topped off by a performance by ex-Blur member, Graham Coxon. Furthermore as a
part of our peace campaign Tony Benn visited the Union to speak on the implications
of the Iraq War.
Tony Benn during a recent visit to the College
The Students’ Union Annual Awards evening, took place on Friday 20 May. Eight
awards were given out and seven people were given Honorary Life Memberships
including former Acting Warden, Professor Kay Stables. The Goldsmiths Society
sponsored the ’Outstanding Achievement Award’ which was presented to Jaime
Hodgson for his contributions to the Students’ Union and in particular his
contribution to the student magazine Smiths.
You can be sure that there will be many more events over the coming year, so there
will be plenty of reasons to visit. You can also take advantage of the GCSU Associate
Membership card which, at a cost of just £10 per year, will give you access to all of
our facilities, membership of non-competitive clubs and student discounts where
relevant to GCSU events.
If you want any information on forthcoming events or want to receive a copy of our
annual report please visit our website www.gcsu.org.uk, or email gcsu@gold.ac.uk
Dave Charlesworth
BA Fine Art 2001-04
Union President 2005-06
news
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news
Goldsmiths Society Services
Keeping in Touch: Alumni Relations Programme
At Goldsmiths we believe in looking after our alumni, and we are currently engaged in developing a comprehensive Alumni Relations
Programme. This will include social events, networking opportunities in London, nationally and internationally, seminars and a mentoring
programme. The programme will take time to build and we will notify you of key developments as they arise. If you would like to take
part in our Mentoring Programme for current students and/or alumni, please get in contact with the Development Office for details. The
website remains a great place to visit for the latest news and information, so please log on regularly.
Existing Benefits
Alumni Discount
Scheme
The College has introduced a
special discount on tuition fees
for all former students who
have successfully completed an
undergraduate degree, Dip HE or
postgraduate taught programme
at Goldsmiths, and who now
wish to progress to a different
postgraduate degree.
In order to apply for the reduced
tuition fee, you will need to have
been accepted on to your intended
programme of study and to satisfy
all the normal academic admissions
criteria, as well as all the conditions
of enrolment and registration set
down by the College.
The Scheme will involve the
following discount on the
appropriate tuition fee levied
on the first year of attendance
of the programme (and not any
subsequent or repeat year):
UK students
Students who pay the Home or
EU fee: a reduction of £250 for
full-time or £125 for part-time
attendance.
International students
Students who pay the overseas
fee: a reduction of £500 for
full-time or £250 for part-time
attendance (regardless of whether
the fee for the programme is a
’high’ or ’low’ cost fee).
We regret that this scheme cannot
be used in conjunction with other
sponsorship, scholarship or bursary
schemes such as Research Council
scholarships, Overseas Agency or
Government scholarships, ORS
scholarships, by students supported
by their employer for professional
development programmes, by
students intending to pursue a
PGCE, or by students in receipt of
any other discount or scholarship
scheme offered by the College.
The discount can only be applied
to the tuition fees and cannot
be used to cover any other
programme-related expenses
(e.g. residential costs, materials
or membership fees).
For more information on how
to claim your discount, please
contact Steven Edwards,
Fees and Awards, Room
123 Main Building or e-mail
s.edwards@gold.ac.uk
Library access
Alumni can gain access to the
College’s library, and are allowed
reference use of the library’s books
and periodicals.
More information about the
library facilities available to
alumni and how to apply can
be found by visiting the website
at http://libweb.gold.ac.uk/
homelinks/alumni.php
The library will normally issue a
one-day ticket, repeated up to
three times a term, or you can
apply in writing to use the library
for a more sustained period.
In touch
If you would like us to help you
to make contact with lost friends,
we can help by passing on your
letters or e-mail address to fellow
members of the Society. Your
search can also be featured in
future editions of Goldlink or
on the website Message Board,
to see if others know of their
whereabouts.
Requests are dealt with in strict
date order and may take up to 3
weeks to process. At busy times
of the year, summer examination
results will take priority over
requests for archive information.
Alternatively you can contact
Ian Sortwell the Student Records
Office on 020 7919 7292 or
e-mail student-records@gold.ac.uk
for further information.
Society
web pages
Careers advice
The Careers Service would like
to hear from any former students
who have vacancies to fill in their
own working environment or
those who can join the Careers
Network and spare some time
to talk to current students about
their own jobs.
If you can help in any way
please contact Claire Norden
(c.norden@gold.ac.uk), Alumni
& Events Officer who will pass on
your details to the Careers Service.
Transcripts
If you have lost your certificate
or require a transcript or official
verification of your qualifications,
please visit www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/
registry and click on Transcripts
and Archives. Once there you will
find an official request form and
details of the charges.
www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/alumni/
Update your details online, e-mail
us contributions for Goldlink at
the touch of a button, or leave
messages on the Message Board
for other alumni to read.
You can find out how to get news
of forthcoming events, information
about library access and transcripts,
get signed up to receive Goldlink
and read through past editions,
and view old and recent photos
of College life.
We would also love to hear from
any former students not already
in contact with the Society. If you
know of any friends that are not
members of the society; please,
having sought their permission,
pass on their email addresses to
us. There is no membership fee
to pay, everyone is considered to
be a member and we will make
contact with them directly.
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AlumniVaria
MAclean will drift down the mountain side.
The aim is to create an intense and personal
experience for each walker, together with
questioning the way that people read the
landscape in response to their own
experiences.
Ellie Harrison (Fine Art 2003-04)
Earlier this year Ellie Harrison had her work,
Gold Card Adventures on display at Piccadilly
Circus Underground Station, presented by
Platform Art (the public art programme for
London underground). Ellie who used her
annual gold card to travel between her home
and Goldsmiths recorded each journey made
over the year. She calculated the cumulative
distance and marked the stages of her journey
as if they corresponded to destinations all over
the world. Ellie made 1,495 journeys and had
a total of 350 hours of travel by underground,
train and bus routes. Her final work comprised
of a series of 18 mock postcards with a note
of the distances reached en route.
Jeremy Grove (Design 2000-04)
Although only graduating a year ago Jeremy
is already making a name for himself in the
design world. The young designer has already
had his work featured in TV shows – Channel
4’s Big Brother – and has set up his own
business. He is particular proud of his avantgarde lampshade that has been featured in
several design publications. Made from foam
PVC the flat sheets attach to the light and the
heat from a 100 watt bulb moulds the sheets
to form petals, when the desired shape is
formed the bulb is changed to an eco-bulb
which doesn’t give off as much heat and means
the lampshade can stay in the desired position.
Wendy Hurrell (Media and
Communications 2000-03)
For those of you in the Anglia television region
you might have noticed a new weather girl,
this is none other than former Goldsmiths
student, Wendy Hurrell. After graduating from
Goldsmiths with a 2.1, Wendy found work
with Broadland 102 (a local radio station).
After three months as ’Wicked Wendy’ on
the breakfast show she landed a job at Anglia,
as a production journalist. Today she presents
the weather – appearing in live and recorded
broadcasts. Her real passion is singing so look
out for her when she features (briefly!) in
Stephen Poliakoff’s new BBC drama to be
screened this summer.
James Brown
(Politics with Economics
1994-97, Students’ Union President 1997-98)
Although James’ degree was in Politics he is
a man of many talents! After completed his
undergraduate studies here at Goldsmiths he
went on to do a part-time Msc in Politics and
Government at Birbeck, and is currently a
Senior Commercial Analyst for the Ricoh Group.
James has co-produced, is assistant director
and stars in a short film entitled ’The Man
Who Met Himself’ which was been selected
for competition at the prestigious Cannes Film
Festival. It was the only British Film to make it
into the short films category and is about a
private detective investigating a suicide. James
together with Ben Crowe, who co-wrote and
directed the film, financed the film entirely
out of their own pockets. Ben’s brother
Daniel plays the main character and his
girlfriend Preti Taneja was the other co-writer.
’The Man Who Met Himself’ was shot this
year during weekends in Covent Garden.
Lucy (Eli) Donavan who is a Goldsmiths
alumnus also features in the film.
Angus Farquhar (Drama and English
1980-83)
Angus has been awarded the largest NESTA
(National Endowment for Science and
Technology) grant given for a creative piece
of work. NESTA’s support is being used to
adapt new sound and lighting technology
that will enable people to enjoy a night-time
experience without damaging the fragile
landscape. ’The Storr’, which is being created
in Trotternish on the Isle of Skye, will be taking
an audience of around 200 on a journey
through the wild northern landforms of the
Island. The walkers equipped with headlamps,
guides and walking sticks will walk at night
through one of Europe’s most dramatic and
inspiring landscapes. A reflexive light network
will create a path through the rock formations,
contemporary sounds from Geir Jennsen a
Norwegian composer and the voice of Sorley
If you would like to be featured in
Goldlink please do contact us, we
are always interested to hear what
our ’Old Smiths’ are up to.
www.imageandnature.com
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news
Alumni news
The Trippplicate: For all your comedy needs!
The Tripplicate is a comedy theatre production company made up of three
founding members: Katie Lyons, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm and myself, Verity
Woolnough. Having met each other in the darkened corners of the Students’
Union, we three bonded through our ability to make each other laugh and
naturally we found ourselves collaborating on a number of performance
projects for our drama degree
The three of us first collaborated on Morgan’s script ’Fanny and Madge’
through Goldsmiths Theatre Collective, a society where students could show
cast independent performance work.’Fanny and Madge’ was meet with great
success and so came the first realisation that members of the public may actually
pay to see us perform instead of long suffering boyfriends and bedraggled tutors,
we applied to perform ’Fanny and Madge’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in
2002, the show was a massive hit which produced a profit, and the Trippplicate
was formed. We are now embarking on our third pilgrimage as a company to
the Edinburgh Festival with our latest comedy offering ‘13 O’clock’.
The Trippplicate: Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, Katie Lyons, Verity Woolnough
pictured with Julian Clary
The past three years have been an invaluable learning curve for us. Through
our experience of the Edinburgh and London Fringe as well as the BBC and
Channel 4, we have developed from student performers to a professional theatre
company. Aside from the creative aspects of our work we have had to cultivate
an eclectic range of practical skills to produce a show such as marketing,
promotion, design as well as accountancy and management.
We learnt through trial and error because we had no predecessors to provide realistic advice of performing at the fringe. So now we are only too
happy to offer the opportunity of first hand guidance to any Goldsmiths students interested in pursuing a career in fringe theatre. It is never too early
to start anticipating your goals, so please do get in touch. Verity Woolnough (Drama and Theatre Arts 2000-03) www.trippplicate.com
A day in the life of MOBO
Former Goldsmiths’ student Kanya King, CEO of MOBO, (Music of Black Origin), has offered work placements to Goldsmiths students. The placements
which range for a day up to several months give you the opportunity to work with professionals helping out the busy office with their PR, Events or
just generally providing support.
Students and MOBO employees mingle together in an open plan office, creating an easy flow of communication between students familiarising
themselves with the workings of a busy office and MOBO staff on hand to advise students accordingly.
Gill Fraser is one of the students who has taken up the offer has been working in the office for just over a week alongside other students on
placement. “We are encouraged to take an active part in the day to day running of the office. The atmosphere is lively, friendly and above all
focused; the main aim being the success of the MOBO brand”. Gill is currently in her second year on a Media and Communications degree.
In touch
Did you live in Rachel Macmillan between 1996 and 1997?
1996 Have ten years really gone by?
If so you will be pleased to hear that Joanna Green is organising a
reunion, taking place in 2006. Joanna has done an excellent job in
trying to track people down, however if you haven’t heard about the
reunion or you just require further information please contact her at:
joanna_l_green@hotmail.com
Did you graduate in 1996? Are you a Drama Theatre Arts or English
Theatre Arts student? If the answers are yes then watch this space!
During the summer of 2006 we plan to hold a 10 year reunion for all
Drama and Drama and English students. If you are interested please
contact Gordon Maxwell on 07957 509611 and register your interest.
Further details and information will appear in the next issue of Goldlink.
news
15
Obituaries
Professor Vera Gottlieb
My friendship with Vera goes back many
years, and her death leaves a great dent
in my life, and that of the Drama
Department, and of Goldsmiths.
I can date the start of our friendship
quite exactly. I was a newly-appointed
lecturer in the Drama Department
nearing the final stages of rehearsals for
a production of Brecht’s The Measure’s
Taken. One morning I woke myself up at
5am, bathed in sweat, in the middle of
an anxiety attack. I’d convinced myself
that I hadn’t started work on one scene
of the play, and even though this wasn’t
true (in fact, my overactive brain had
invented the scene), I felt unable to meet
the students, and rang the Department
to cancel a planned rehearsal.
When I arrived in the Department
I bumped into Vera and she asked me
what was wrong. “Nothing” I replied.
“Yes there is” she responded. “Get a
coffee and come down to my room.
Now!” There was no arguing with
that tone in Vera’s voice. I sat in her
basement room and explained my
feelings of panic and anxiety, and of
not being up to the job. I can remember
how patiently and sympathetically she
listened, and how her reassurance gave
me the necessary confidence I needed
to carry on with the rehearsals.
This experience was typical of Vera’s
professionalism. It was also typical of her
generosity in giving time and energy to
others. I feel privileged to have known
and worked with Vera for so long, and
that our professional relationship grew
into one of very close friendship.
One of the founding influences in
the Drama Department, Vera served as
Deputy and later as Head of Department,
as well as Deputy Dean of the Faculty of
Arts (in the days of faculties).
Having to give up teaching and regular
contact with students was something
Vera minded terribly. She was invited to
deliver a lecture on Naturalism to the
first years not so long ago. Watching her
gave some insight into her interactive
teaching style. It was intellectually
challenging and provocative, but
accessible, and she was able to
communicate clearly her enthusiasm and
passion for the subject. At the end of
the lecture I had to prise Vera out of a
press of students, wanting to ask further
questions and discuss issues with her.
She was tired, but elated. “That makes
it all worthwhile”, she said as we
headed, inevitably, towards coffee.
Vera brought all that commitment
and sense of responsibility to her role
as part-time Research Professor, a post
created for her by the then Warden,
Professor Ken Gregory, after she
resigned on grounds of ill-health. That
timely appointment has brought two
co-edited books, Theatre in a Cool
Climate (1999) and The Cambridge
Companion to Chekhov (2000), as
well as major articles in New Theatre
Quarterly and Contemporary Theatre
Review. She also gave platform talks and
discussions on the National Theatre’s
Olivier and Cottesloe stages. Vera
continued to introduce the Marjorie
Frances lectures, which she had initiated.
She was the Director of the Pinter
Centre for Research in Performance,
formally launched in 2003. It was her
network of contacts which brought the
likes of Richard Eyre, Genista Mackintosh,
Harold Pinter and Michael Caine to the
Department, and often to a Fellowship or
Honorary Doctorate of the College.
It will be that energy, that
indomitable will-power, the passion and
spirit which we will all miss with Vera’s
passing. There was a deep well-spring of
courage and strength in her which never
shrank from doing the right thing at
whatever personal cost. She was a
remarkable individual, fiercely loyal and
with a sense of personal integrity that
sometimes seems to have belonged to
another age. Yet, Vera was also intensely
human. Her garden, her cats, a good
gossip, shared laughter and food, were
all an important part of these memories
of Vera. People who met her for the first
time were captivated by her charm as
much as awed by her intelligence. I will
always be grateful for that time she
reached out to offer her support to me,
and feel fortunate to have known and
worked with her for so many years.
Vera will be deeply missed by her
family, her friends and colleagues, but
her legacy will live on in her published
work, and in the ways that she touched
people throughout her life.
Brian Roberts
Senior Lecturer, Drama Department
Susan Griffiths née Little
Susan’s untimely death in late 2004
was a shock to her family and friends.
She had a lively intellect and an
enormous zest for life. Susan was a
student at Goldsmiths 1960-63 and a
group of her friends from Surrey House
met, in January, to celebrate her life on
what would have been her sixty second
birthday. After a noisy Chinese meal
they drank a toast in memory of her
health in the Orangery at Surrey House
and planted a memorial shrub. The
group of friends that meet felt sure
that Sue would have approved!
Jack Nicholas (pictured above with
his grandson Sammy)
On 6 January 2005 Jack Nicholas died
in Royal Brompton Hospital. His funeral
took place at Mortlake Crematorium on
January 25 and an informal memorial
event was held at Goldsmiths on 7
March. This was attended by Jack’s
daughter, Anne, and over 30 of his
colleagues and friends.
Born in 1935 in Fishguard, Wales,
Jack graduated in History from Cardiff
University in 1956, subsequently moving
to London to undertake a PGCE and MA
at the Institute of Education. He taught
at Leyton County High School for Boys
and Thames Valley Secondary School.
Jack was on the staff at Goldsmiths
from 1970 to 1991 becoming, in 1977,
Head of the Postgraduate Secondary
Education Department and from 1984
Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Education.
Jack published in the fields of history
and comparative education with specific
focus on the education systems of the
USA and the USSR. He was a Visiting
Professor at Georgia State University
in Atlanta, USA and led Comparative
Education Society tours to the USSR.
It is difficult to capture in these few
words all the feelings which Jack evoked
in those who had the pleasure and
privilege to work with him. People
remember him for many qualities
including his absolute distaste of pomp
and the ‘puffed-upness’ of power and
the fact that he listened to people and
dealt with them in an even-handed, fair
way. Jack was never a ‘fair-weather’
head of department. He was great when
things were going well, but when things
were tough he was even greater and
never dumped problems on other
people. He never pulled rank nor treated
anyone with less than absolute respect.
This continued through his final days in
hospital when he remained warm and
thoughtful to the people around him –
the only exception being in relation to a
racist bigot who was in the next bed to
him for a short time.
Former staff members particularly
remember the discussions we had over
lunch or a coffee. These would range
from education, politics (personal and
institutional), history, being Welsh,
caravan holidays and the iniquities of
Brittany in the rain, books, the USSR,
sport, family life, the theatre (particularly
accents and dialects), – the list goes on.
As an ex-colleague wrote: “He was a lot
of fun.”
We all look back on Jack’s life with
a great deal of warmth and an immense
sense of loss.
Pat Mahony, Ian Hextall
Marion Jane Blake Wood née Wolfe
Jane was a student at Goldsmiths
College from 1946-48 and was resident
at Loring Hall Bexley. She studied English
as her advanced course subject and was
an active member of Union Council.
Jane died on 26 January 2005, leaving
her only son Gersham.
Joyce Canning
Goldsmiths Reconnected
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