Some may be aware, others not so much, that Robinson has something of a reputation when it comes to theatre. Many freshers approached me, as incoming President of our college’s theatre society in Michaelmas last year, and were surprised to find that the ‘theatre scene’ at college was in the throes of something of a hibernation period. The central place theatre occupied in admissions information and the college website were products of a previous generation of activity. Instead of an emphasis on college-focused, or indeed student-written material and activities, Brickhouse (Robinson’s aptly named theatre society) had taken the role of a theatre production company—hosting and co-producing shows in Robinson’s Auditorium and financing external shows.

This year has witnessed something of a revival. Five shows on from the start of the year, Brickhouse have been blessed with much support from the Fellowship and students at Robinson and beyond. With a renewed focus on student-written theatre and in offering a stage for quality productions without the pressures of the prestigious ADC, there has been a push in encouraging students hoping to pursue theatre alongside their study. College theatre is something that is at the fringes of a very vibrant theatre scene here at Cambridge. We certainly don't lack fantastic venues, but college theatre offers something very different. Developing links between college theatre societies will help Brickhouse make better use of the many performance spaces around Cambridge and encourage a more integrated theatre community that is already thriving. 

Last year was the tenth anniversary of Robinson's outdoor theatre, named in memory of Maria Björnson, who, among many other achievements, was the set designer for Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. It is with great pleasure that Brickhouse will use the space again, after several years of relative inactivity. This May Week, the company are producing three exciting, and very different, shows. Monday 15th will feature the short play Prep, written by Robinson alumna Amy Biggadike, a comedy set in the kitchen of a wedding caterer. On Thursday 18th, Brickhouse will host something a little different in the guise of a late showing of Beckett’s Waiting for Godot which starts at 9pm and promises to be very atmospheric. To round things off, on Friday 19th, Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew will take to the outdoor stage for an afternoon matinee. 

Robinson’s theatre society is up and raring to go. Brickhouse welcome any other college theatre society for collaborations, or just generally to discuss college theatre and celebrate the opportunity it provides for students to try something a little different as part of what makes this collegiate university so very special. 

Tickets for each Brickhouse May Week show are £3, but when bought together, two shows are £5, and a ticket to each of the three costs £6.99. Available via ADCTicketing.