'Man without a Mask' was originally created by Ruth for lunch-time performances at the Tate Gallery. The performance at the College took place on November 29th, William Blake's birthday, in the intimate setting of the Members' Room.

 

Ruth, who was married to the late Ismond Rosen, psychiatrist, sculptor and Fellow of the College, generously donated her fee to Mind Odyssey.

 

The second event, held on 28 February 2002, was 'An Evening of Classical Urdu Poetry', organised by Dr Akmal Makhdum, Mind Odyssey representative for both the Eastern Division and Psychopharmacology Special Interest Group. The performance began in the traditional manner with the lighting of a candle, on this occasion by the President, Professor John Cox.

 

Urdu poetry is written in many styles, each with its own character. Independent verses, but which form part of one theme, are known as Ghazals and these can be sung as well as recited. The College was delighted to welcome Ustad Fida Hussain Khan, an internationally known singer of Ghazals, who sang a number of poems. Members Akmal Makhdum and Ihsan Mian joined the performance by reciting poems they had written themselves. Those in the audience who didn't speak Urdu, were nevertheless easily able to enjoy the music, humour and lively audience participation which is part of Urdu poetry recitals.

 

Our thanks go to Akmal Makhdum who organised this excellent evening and for bringing Urdu poetry to the College for the first time.

 

The final evening, 'Psychiatrists Play Jazz', took place on March 21 2002. Sixty people booked for this enormously successful event which was organised by Dave Jago, Head of Publications at the College, and semi-professional trombonist.

 

The 11 musicians (nine of them psychiatrists or working in mental health, supported by a professional rhythm section) had never played together before but gave a tremendous and varied performance. The programme comprised jazz, blues, bossa novas and folk, and included some original pieces written by Patrick Byrne and Anna May Silver.

The musicians were:

 

Dave Jago - trombone
Patrick Byrne - guitar, harmonica & vocals (member)
Andrew Powell - solo piano, drums & vocals (member)
Alex Yellowlees - violin (member)
Arnon Bentovim - sax (member)
Peter Wilson - piano
Anna May Silver - piano
Mike Pickering - drums
Ruthie Smith - sax & vocals
Danny Manners - bass
Richard Peters - guitar

 

 

The audience assembled in a candle-lit Council Room to hear classics such as Summertime, Watermelon Man, The Girl from Ipanema and All Blues. The band played under the portrait of the second president of the College (1975 -78), Professor Lindford Rees, who was in the audience with members of his family.

 

 

The evening received rave reviews with many calls for more such events at the College. Our very sincere thanks go to Dave Jago for organising the event, especially as he left at 5 am the following morning to perform in Bordeaux !