SED’s Guide to Summer in London 2016

Summer is a great time to discover London’s beating cultural heart, make connections and get involved with an international ocean of culture, so why not dive in.

Midnight Matinee at Shakespeare's Globe

SHAKESPEARE

Brave the unpredictable summer weather for an unforgettable night under the stars at Shakespeare’s Globe at their Midnight Matinee (next up Macbeth on 22 July). If you’re looking for an alternative take on the old Bard why not try Shakespeare Burlesqued (14 July) at Senate House Library.

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PUNK

As we enter the world of Brexit, the radical movement of PUNK seems very relevant indeed. This year London celebrates 40 years of punk with institutions like Roundhouse, Museum of London and Design Museum all offering free events to get under the skin of the radical subculture. Our favourite activities include Jon Savage and Viv Albertine on Punk (14 July) and Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer at the BFI (7 August) .

 

LITERARY HAVENS & ENTHRALLING EXHIBITIONS

  • The mighty British Library is thriving this summer with events including the rather excellent Shakespeare in Ten Acts exhibition.
  • Discover the amazing stories of East End Women (until 9 July) who have shaped the area for future generations or go on some interesting walks with Walking Women (11-17 July).
  • Head to the Southbank Centre for an array of literary talent including politics meets poetry with Jeremy Corbyn and Ben Okri (15 July), comedy/gameshow Literary Death Match (25 July) and discover powerful stories from Britain’s Homeless at The Homeless Library (until 18 September).

 

roman road summer festival

FREE FESTIVALS

On Queen Mary’s doorstep are some amazing festivals including the free Roman Road Summer Festival (24 July ) or Walthamstow Garden Party (16-17 July) for some classy culture delivered by Barbican.

Under a 20 minutes away from Queen Mary London Bridge City Festival (Until 31 October) is stuffed with free film and sports screenings, theatre and music all summer.

 

OUTDOOR OASES

images_w750h330_Lido_Plain_Nov_06If you’ve not discovered the pleasures of London Fields Lido (pictured left) or the pop-up Beach East (until 4 September) at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park now’s the time to try them. Or if you fancy a little day trip why not hurtle down the Lea Valley on a ‘hot dog’ canoe or if you’re feeling really brave try the world’s highest slide at Arcelor Mittal Orbit (see main article image above).

 

Plus if you have any suggestions for interesting things to do this summer in London please email us with your tip or review of an event or place!

5 Indispensable Posts for New Students

This blog has been running for nearly two years and we thought it was worth a recap for new students. Here are some no-nonsense posts by our very own SED students (some of them are graduates now!).


 

1. Why Join a Society at University? Videos featuring Hannah Winterman, Becky Hipkiss and Raifa Rafiq

The Queen Mary experience is so much more than just our school, the university’s societies are a great way to make new friends, learn new skills for your career and most importantly have fun.

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2. Living in London: The Student Way by Rachel Nelms

English Graduate Rachel gives a great guide to making the best of studying in London. She shares her experiences of free days out, where to get great deals and cultural finds on Queen Mary’s doorstep.

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3. 5 Ways to Achieve Stress Free Travel in London by Amy Watson

Yes, London has one of the best & busiest transport systems in the world and as a student you can get 30% off travel on the entire Transport for London network. In this post Amy takes us through the tips and tricks to avoid stress on London transport.

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london tube


4. On Reading Books You Don’t Like by Charlie Pullen

We love Charlie’s honest and wry approach to reading books you don’t like and the unexpected pleasures you can get from them.

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Charles Hackley, 'Old Books': https://www.flickr.com/photos/hackleypubliclibrary/ (CC BY 2.0)

Charles Hackley, ‘Old Books‘ (CC BY 2.0)


5. 3 Reasons Why Studying Drama in London is Awesome by Dani Harvey

Does what it says on the tin, really.

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More posts by SED students are here

If you’re a current student, graduate or member of staff please do get in touch if you’d like to share your advice or simply leave a comment below.

Peopling the Palace (s) 2016 Festival Preview

Take part in a festival of groundbreaking experimental theatre, music and dance, as well as book launches and events at Peopling the Palace (s) from 7-19 June 2016.

Here’s some of the things you can experience at the festival:

  • Watch a celluloid tribute to what it’s like to study Drama at QMUL on Wednesday 8 June. Book a free ticket here
  • Delve into the ‘Generation Rent’ mystery of Sh!t Theatre‘s Letters to Windsor House on Friday 10 June.
  • Debate the role of shit as both a metaphor and a material reality in our daily London lives at Life is Shit (Shit is Life) on Friday 10 June.
  • Watch Lindsay Goss and Nicholas Ridout‘s new performance about ‘trying to be serious when it’s better to be cool’ on Friday 10 & Saturday 11 June.
  • Raise a glass to the launch of Professor Lois Weaver‘s alter-ego Tammy WhyNot’s Youtube Channel on Tuesday 14 June. No booking required.
  • Discover recent final year students’ work at First Flights on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 June.
  • A double bill of participatory performance by dyspraxic artists including Daniel Oliver’s Weird Seance (pictured below, middle) on Saturday 11 June.
  • Listen to the loud homage to the alternative theatre scene in the 1970s and 80s by a Lesbian punk band Siren on Sunday 19 June (pictured below top).

See the full programme here including times and locations

Find out more about the Drama Department, in the School of English and Drama at Queen Mary University of London here

peoplingthepalace

Top: Siren Band Middle: Daniel Oliver Weird Seance Bottom: Jen Pearce