Robinson College’s May Ball is to be replaced by a “mega bop” after an email from its committee said they wanted to move to a “more accessible and inclusive event”.

The committee told students to “expect a mega bop as only Robinson knows how,” with the “low-priced” event open to students from all colleges.

In preparation for a May Ball, the committee had already opened applications for student workers, held a launch party and announced a theme: ‘Film Noir’.

In correspondence seen by Varsity, the Committee told its entertainment acts they “had decided to call off the ball” and “schedule an alternative event”. The lead singer of one hired band told Varsity they were “frustrated and confused”.

The announcement comes following heavy speculation that this year’s May Ball would be cancelled due to financial strains. Last year’s committee allegedly worked with a reduced budget.

Its members explained that this was merely the “natural product” of increased living costs combined with low ticket sales which had “obviously affected the budget [they were] working with”.

This is the second time that Robinson has had to cancel its May Ball for financial reasons. The 2019 May Ball was cancelled in March of that year also due to low ticket sales.

The 2024 May Ball president told Varsity that before Covid, Robinson’s May Ball was successful once every three years, with the last one before 2022 in 2018. Post-Covid, a “frenzy of May Ball attendance” across Cambridge led to three consecutive successful Robinson May Balls.

Robinson is known as one of the cheapest May Balls among undergraduate colleges, with tickets normally ranging between £100 and £150. It is also the only Grange Road college to hold a May Ball and has previously offered discounts to its Grange Road siblings, to maintain its accessibility.

One student told Varsity that the claimed “mega bop” sounded “very underwhelming” compared to the cheaper May Week events, such as a June Event or Garden Party. Others expressed their shock, but were “unsurprised” “considering the rumours”.

“There is a general feeling amongst second and third years that we are all going elsewhere in May week,” another told Varsity. “It’s a shame but I’m also not too bothered”.

This comes a week before the ‘go-no-go’ point for all May Balls, with Robinson yet to open their ticket sales.

A spokesperson for the Robinson May Ball Committee said: “There were several factors at play in our decision to run an inclusive June event rather than a May Ball. Rising costs have been affecting all balls in recent years, as have lower ticket sales. We therefore took the decision to change our event to a more accessible one at this point to ensure we could organise the best possible alternative.”

They added: “Our college is famed for its bops, and we are excited to launch a fantastic event to celebrate May Week in true Robinson style. We’re pleased to say the theme ‘Film Noir’ will remain the same.”

“As a committee, we empathise with those who are disappointed with the decision. However, we can ensure them we are working very hard to putting on a fun and inclusive May Week event, which can be enjoyed by everyone who attends,” they continued.