The temperature was low, but expectations were high. ArcSoc Cabaret has clearly established itself as a highlight of the Lent social calendar, judging by the impressive black market for spare tickets it had spawned on its Facebook page. After a long queue revellers were greeted by a Union Building saturated in suspended objects; starting with a cascade of balloons artfully descending from a first story window into the garden, to the familiar ArcSoc décor of pop art pasted over every surface. Balloons abound, there was no shortage of things to keep your hands and eyes busy, another highlight being a room entirely wrapped in tinfoil and plastic cups.

One staple of Saturate was, of course, the guests themselves – the theme ‘saturate’ was embraced creatively, particularly by those who arrived in drag, and impressive shiny home-made cloaks were spotted swirling on the dance floor. However, the majority of party-goers went for the simple combination of glitter spray and streaks of face paint, which by the end of the night looked tired. Although the main chamber wasn’t full until 11.30, when it finally was the atmosphere was fierce, animated by a strong musical repertoire – a series of sets which reminded everyone why ArcSoc stands so, so far ahead of Cambridge nightlife’s standard week – although sometimes it could have been louder. The bar area was crowded and no music was audible, which was a slight downer on the atmosphere, but once it had been waded through there was a second space with live sounds, starring student bands who left crowd begging for more. 

Of the two competing components of the theme, ‘Saturate’ dominated ‘Cabaret’ with no question, followed more loyally by both committee and customer. In a gesture to the latter part of the theme, life drawing classes were apparently offered somewhere, although this author couldn’t find them. One student from Emmanuel who did manage to find the room complained of a distinct planning hiccup, "in the life drawing class there was a distinctive lack of sharp pencils" – take note committee.

If there was one central problem, it was the self-defeating fact that ArcSoc’s own reputation sets itself up so easily for the possibility of disappointment. Part of this might be because demand so far outstrips supply when it comes to Cambridge nightlife.

“ArcSoc does a good job in offering escape from the otherwise harrowing experience of Cambridge life in its attempt to create a sense of legitimacy in an environment that is empty and pathetic”, one third year commented, going on to question “how does it come to terms with the fact that its own success has made it so normative?”

This is certainly a question that the next event’s committee will have to grapple with, especially with increasing competition from nights at The Junction and strong termcards from Fever and Turf. One former Varsity editor went further, “I started the night as a whole woman, and I ended it as a female eunuch. Much like Germaine Greer”.

Despite criticism mostly coming from jaded third years, Cabaret: Saturate has carved its own strong identity in the Cambridge night scene, one looked forward to by nearly all. The task is now to ensure it doesn't become the night it was hoping to offer an alternative to.