To transform the sun drenched courts and shaded cloisters of Jesus College into somewhere ‘uninhabitable’ seems challenging. In the balminess of mid-June, the May Ball committee will seek to drop their guests in a range of environments far divorced from the warm, boozy embrace of the post-exam college atomosphere. 

The campus-like size of Jesus will be fully utilised to create a range of different immersive environments. Designer Ceri Hedderwick Turner emphasised how each court and quadrangle will have a ‘different character’, from intense heat to a ‘chill out' zone. The ball is set to provide a transcendent experience for the guest, guiding them through a number of different worlds, united by a ‘quest’ or ‘challenge’ for the ball-goer to complete. Clearly, the commitment to theme and experience does not come at the expense of enjoyment. Head of Food Lydia Collas assured me of the ‘return of favourites’ from previous years, while still endeavouring to keep the cuisine on trend with the various themes.

With a number of members from last year’s committee taking up the challenge again, Jesus May Ball seems in capable hands. This by no means indicates business as usual for the committee, however. They are utilising past experience to allow a more ambitious approach. A number of committee members assured me that this ball was looking to achieve some ‘firsts’ in the Cambridge May Ball scene, all designed to be a perfect tonic for guests tired of their own quest to achieve ‘firsts’.

Much of the success of the ball will be in its arrangement. The ball is arranged to allow guests to explore freely, with Non-music Entertainments officer Elle Prince highlighting how entertainment will be immediately accessible and interactive, eliminating any queues. Additionally, Jesus’ biggest coup seems to be the dual headliners of Jack Garrett and Coasts, performers primed for future success, leaving ticket holders with the smug hipster satisfaction that they saw them ‘before they were mainstream’. This will be coupled with a headline DJ and comedian that main entertainments coordinator Ben Gallant seemed particularly excited yet reticent to tell me about.

From the sublime to the logistical, Jesus seems prepared for the challenges of a May Ball. With beefed up security, and more toilets, the committee provide the essentials as well as the aesthetic. Committee Secretary Ore Ogunbiyi has even gone as far as making an agreement with their waste contractor for all rubbish to be sorted off site and recycled appropriately, helping make the excess of May balls a little more sustainable. Tech Officer Will Thurlwell took great pride in telling me that Jesus were employing a ‘world leading’ events team to help coordinate the technological efforts on the night. Likewise, buildings manager Daniel Patton took pride in the organisation of the contractors employed for the night, as well as praising the committee’s ability to communicate clearly and effectively with the college in organising the event.

Under the careful guidance of dual presidents Anthony Graff and Charlie Benson, the May Ball committee seemed to me a truly enthusiastic and excited bunch. I broached the idea that many student volunteers for committees tend to be looking to expand their CVs and was quickly rebuffed. Anthony argued that it was seeing a plan come together that provided a great deal more satisfaction than a position to list on a resume. This keen committee united a cross section of the college, notably having members of the MCR involved in the form of drinks manager Natasha Morgan and staffing organiser Matt Kamisher-Koch.

Most important is the enthusiasm with which these individuals are doing their job. In the middle of exam term, the vast majority of the 22 strong committee turned up to be interviewed on a Monday afternoon. This demonstrates the dedication and pride these individuals have in their work, which I believe will be reflected in their grand vision for their May Ball.