Week 7: Jam House, Socials and Work Load

This week has been really difficult for me because I've had so much work to do. It has, however, been a satisfying week because I handed in my first essay (the one I've been talking about far too much) on Monday, which was a day early, and my lecturers are getting more friendly. Because of the nature of my course, there's a lot of contact time where the lecturer actually gets to know the student. Theatre Practice is taught in groups of about ten, the Dramatic Medium seminars are of a similar class size and PTPC is a discussion based module which allows for your own opinion (of theory) to be heard. Theatre Crafts is also taught in a smaller group and that was really interesting for me this week because we moved onto a new section: lighting. There's a lot of physics involved, in terms of how a lantern works and how the types differ, but it's really interesting. The group size makes asking questions much easier, too.

One thing that's really bothering me about the work load is that my Sundays are usually taken up by work. I'm definitely looking forward to 12th December when I can have a lay in and forget that I have an essay or two to hand in when I get back. I'm not going to lie, University really is hard work. There's a reason they organise accommodation: you have to have a study area to work and prepare for lectures and such. Of course there's the convenience of living with people so as to improve your social life and expand your social circles but having a room within a short walk to the University library is most definitely important. I may have mentioned before but the jump from sixth form or college to University can be a shock. That does mean, however, that the Christmas vacation is all the more rewarding. When the first year ends, that will be an incredible moment.

One highlight of week seven was the second/first year Drama social at Jam House. Jam House is a jazz bar/club owned by Jools Holland (the former member of Squeeze who hosts the 'New Year Hootenanny' as well as 'Later with Jools Holland', weekly) and is usually a 21+ venue (only admits those 21 years of age and older) but every Thursday is open to 18+. They are mainly a bar with live music but also serve food in a separate upstairs section that overlooks the band. I've been told that Jools not only owns the place but also makes appearances and performances every so often. My first experience of the place was a good one. The music was jazzy, as suggested by its owner's reputation, and atmosphere was really nice. I recommend this place to those who don't fancy getting claustrophobic in the massive clubs like Gatecrasher and Oceana. It serves as a fantastic place for a date as the mood is romantic but also provides an entertaining spot for a group to unwind. The beginning of the night was laid back with lots of sitting down and chatting about random things but once 10.30pm came, more people entered the dance floor and the joint livened up. You definitely aren't required to have a convincing dancing style but you are required to dress smartly. Jeans are acceptable if they are neither faded nor ripped. The girls wear cocktail dresses or smart trousers with a classy top. The website states that all male parties will not be admitted, which is a good excuse to get a female friend to transform into a swan for the night and have all eyes on her. The location of Jam House isn't fantastic, however, because I don't reckon it's a place I would walk to. It's definitely a taxi job. With places on Broad Street, it's possible to get a train into either New Street or Five Ways and walk the distance but Jam House is a little away from the hubbub of that area - though definitely not isolated.

Another highlight was Wednesday night: the first year drama social organised by one of my good friends, Katy. Because the second year rep (who apparently also caters for the first years) hadn't organised anything for the first years in terms of social events, Katy made an event on Facebook and found that most people on the course were well up for a fancy dress social to get to know each other. The theme was democratically decided as TV/Film Characters, to keep within the subject, and it was the talking point for the whole week prior. Ideas were exchanged and everyone got excited. The night was a fantastic success - no one had a bad experience. The costumes were fantastic, also, as shown below.


Some of the Drama first years at the Gun Barrels Pub for the TV/Film Characters fancy dress social.


Myself as Hermione Granger (Harry Potter) for the Drama social.