If there’s anything 2016 taught us (apart from the fact that there is true meaning behind Yazz’s 80s top hit ‘The only way is up’) it is that creating artificial borders only really perpetuates ignorance. So why is it that the two universities in this city are seemingly so far apart? And what better way is there to bring us together than the rather questionable medium of comedy?

This term, the two universities are collaborating to perform two stand-up comedy nights at the ARU Student Union, hopefully leading to the formation of a city-wide theatrical partnership. The performers will be from both the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin, as well as non-student city-based comedians. The purpose of this event is ultimately to form a positive relationship between the two universities as well as encouraging inclusiveness in theatre, which we hope will have a knock-on effect on all other university activities.

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It is no secret that representation is an issue in Cambridge theatre, be it the imbalance of differing genders and sexualities or a racial or class-based divide. Having an event such as this, which embraces our differences rather than scratching them out, gives this representation and confidence to those who might otherwise feel their place is in the audience, not on the stage. Already, this event is having an impact; I am very happy to say that the majority of the performers from the University of Cambridge for these two nights are female and I am very excited to see them own the stage as much as their male counterparts.

"It is no secret that representation is an issue in Cambridge theatre"

Hopefully, this effect will not stop at gender inclusivity – whilst things are changing for the better (for example, the first BME performance of Macbeth is debuting this February) there is certainly a lot more the university can, and should, be doing. There are so many wonderfully talented students in this city but it is almost certain that much more untapped potential has not yet been given a voice. We are not all the stereotype of Cambridge university comedians, and shouldn’t feel we have to be.

Having these joint events with ARU shows all the students in this city that opportunities are for everyone and hopefully is bookmarking a new era for comedy in Cambridge. This gives students to the opportunity to work and meet with people they otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to encounter. It also allows us to share facilities and grow from each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which will no doubt lead to refined talent and stronger comedians throughout. After all, we are sharing the same city – why can’t we share the same ambitions?

Being able to enjoy ARU students’ talent is a treat in itself; I would like to say a special thanks to Byron Geldard and ARU for being so supportive in this project. The comedy nights are running on the 2nd February and 30th March at the ARU student union – please do come and show your support for the city and all the comedic excellence it contains