The task of transforming a red-brick college into a tropical island is not one that a committee can simply cruise through. Forgive the pun, but Robinson May Ball Committee certainly deserve praise when it comes to pulling off their highly anticipated theme.

The event was like many other college May Balls: an exciting, thrilling, entertaining, and somewhat tiring escapade. The event started with the complementary offering of Pina Colada fudge, followed by a champagne reception in a tepee. Guests then wandered along a beautifully decorated red carpet, with palm trees and hanging lights, passing through into the main hall where they were greeted with a gigantic chocolate fountain.

While Robinson is viewed by many of its non-college members as one of the more sinister-looking colleges, the decorations and lighting softened its red-brick appearance. However, some elements of the event were not always centred on the 'tropical theme'; for instance, the stand of Belgium waffles was a little perplexing. Nonetheless, offerings of fresh fruit, cocktails, rum, and seafood risotto fitted with the overall theme.
One of the most surprising features was the addition of a Captain Jack Sparrow, who looked identical to the iconic Disney character. But the best feature had to be the Jazz tent. The range of acts was fantastic, featuring Fowler and Marlow, and a mix of student talent.

My personal favourite came from Zhuan Faraj, David Warren (keys), Alex Maynard (bass), and Zoë Silkstone (vocals), featuring lots of jazzy renditions of pop songs. The chilled music of the Jazz tent was a great way to finish the end of the night.

As one of the cheapest May Balls going, Robinson had everything that other more expensive balls would cater for. That said, the ball was lacking some of the finer details of the more lavish balls, and attention to detail was at times slightly uneven. Nevertheless, was the night worth £100? Certainly. In fact, I had as good an experience at Robinson than any of the other more expensive colleges I have attended so far.