The Pundamental History of British Humour

From Chaucer, via Shakespeare and Austen, British humour can trace its root back a long way. To celebrate the visit if improv troupe Austentatious to ROSL on Friday 2 February, Jessica Harris-Edwards looks back at what makes our literary heroes funny in the latest edition of Overseas

The Relevance of the Commonwealth in the 21st Century

The latest instalment in our Evelyn Wrench Lecture Series returns on 25 November, with Her Excellency Ms Yamina Karitanyi, High Commissioner for Rwanda to the United Kingdom, joining us to discuss Rwanda as a modern Commonwealth nation, the challenges of reconciliation after conflict and the opportunities presented by being the host of CHOGM 2020. 

There's NO PLACE Like Home

ROSL ARTS and BEARSPACE are delighted to launch NO PLACE, an exhibition of emerging artists work examining the theme of finding home at Over-Seas House from Friday 15 September until January 2018. 

They Came From Far and Wide

Thursday evening saw the penultimate event of the Annual Music Competition with our Overseas Final, which celebrates the musicians from our Section Finals who hail from overseas, and this year we had four incredible musicians from New Zealand and Australia. 

Those Who Don’t Believe in Magic Will Never Find it

“Magic is something we have been delighted, entertained and terrified by for thousands of years: it demands our attention,” Maev Kennedy, special writer for The Guardian, challenges the audience of last night's Drawing Room Discussion to disagree. 

To you, Rabbie Burns!

In celebration of the famous Scottish poet, Rabbie Burns, members came together last Friday in their finest tartan threads to eat, drink, and dance in his memory. 

Today in History: 1917: Battle of Cambrai

On the 20 November 1917, the allies smashed a seven-mile wide, four-mile deep hole in the Germans’ toughest defences near Cambrai. In six hours, they had advanced further than they had in three months at Passchendaele. Yet by 1 December, after a German counter attack, both sides held roughly the same territory as at the beginning of the bloody battle. So, can we truly say this battle was a success? 

Today in History: 1947: Indian Independence

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the independence of India, which saw the British Raj partitioned into the majority-Hindu India and the majority-Muslim Pakistan on 15 August 1947, just two years after the conclusion of the Second World War.

Today in History: 1992: Betty Boothroyd Becomes Speaker

On this day in 1992, The House of Commons elected Betty Boothroyd as Speaker, the first time a woman held the post in its 700-year history. The Labour MP for West Bromwich West beat out Conservatives Peter Brooke and Sir Giles Shaw by a 134-vote majority, to become Speaker and hold that position while in opposition for the first time since the Second World War. 

Tune into the 20s with Alex Mendham and his Orchestra

Luxuriate in an evening of 1920s style and sophistication with Alex Mendham and his Orchestra performing well-loved songs by Gershwin, Porter and Berlin for your enjoyment on Friday 29 November at Over-Seas House. 

UNESCO Hosts Paris Members

On a beautiful sunny late spring day for which only Paris seems to have the secret, ROSL members based in Paris and the environs were treated to a magnificent luncheon at the world famous UNESCO Headquarters. They had the honour of being hosted by one of ROSL's most distinguished overseas members, HE Ambassador Laurent Stefanini, Permanent Representative for France to UNESCO, who had kindly invited several ambassadors from Commonwealth nations to join the luncheon.

Values in Foreign Policy; Investigating Ideals and Interests

The Royal Over-Seas League and Rowman & Littlefield International invite you to a discussion on the launch of a new book co-edited by Krishnan Srinivasan and James Mayall, Values in Foreign Policy; Investigating Ideals and Interests, on Wednesday 26 June. 

Voicing Their Ambitions

Last night saw the second of our solo Section Finals take place in the Princess Alexandra Hall, as five talented young soloists competed for the £5,000 Singers Prize and a place in the Gold Medal Final in June. With a wealth of repertoire to choose from, the audience and our jury were wowed by the exceptional musicianship on display. 

Walking to Frieze

A Saturday stroll has never been quite like this!  Following art historian, author and TV presenter Richard Stemp through the streets of Mayfair and Soho, members were invited to  to explore the two sides of the upcoming Art Fairs, Frieze London and Frieze Masters, as part of a tour by ROSL ARTS and Art History UK. All the visits were planned to look at both the contemporary side of the art world as well as the historic that has come before and set the scene. 

Watch: AMC Gold Medal Final

Due to Covid restrictions the Annual Music Competition Gold Medal Final took place behind closed doors this year. This is your change to watch it in full. 

Watch: Camilla Tominey

Watch last night's fascinating public affairs talk from Camilla Tominey again here. Camilla is an Associate Editor of the Daily Telegraph, a Royal expert for the American television network NBC and a seasoned Royal Commentator for broadcasters in Britain and around the world. Get insights into her career covering both politics and the Royal Family and what the future holds for the younger members of the Royal Family including Harry and Meghan. 

Watch: Diana Owen Talks to Michael McKay

Watch outgoing Director-General Diana Owen's discussion with member Michael McKay here. 

Watch: Dickie & Edwina, The Mountbattens by Andrew Lownie

Author and historian Andrew Lownie introduces his joint biography of the lives of Earl Mountbatten of Burma and his wife Edwina. As first President and then Grand President of ROSL from 1942 to 1979, Mountbatten's long association with the club makes him a fascinating subject for members to find out more about. 

Watch: Escape Rush Hour with Kabantu

Winners of the 2017 Mixed Ensembles prize at the ROSL Annual Music Competition, Kabantu, will be returning to the Princess Alexandra Hall on Tuesday 25 June for the latest in our ROSL Rush Hour concert series. 

Watch: H.E. Karen-Mae Hill and Geoff Parkin

Yesterday, UK High Commissioner for Antigua and Barbuda, and founder of the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra, H.E. Karen-Mae Hill joined ROSL Artistic Director Geoff Parkin for a chat about the project to bring orchestral music and learning to Antigua and Barbuda, along with orchestra manager Claudine Benjamin. 

Watch: Huw Wiggin and Noriko Ogawa

Last night, ROSL 2014 AMC Gold Medal winner and saxophonist Huw Wiggin performed on stage from the Princess Alexandra Hall with pianist Noriko Ogawa. 

Watch: If the Walls Could Talk

Many aspects of Over-Seas House have seen several iterations over the years, none moreso than the art adorning our walls. As part of ROSL ARTS' programme of rolling exhibitions, the artwork in the Central Lounge, Duke of York Bar, Gibbs staircase, and dotted elsewhere in the clubhouse, is currently changing from the hugely successful to Edit, Adapt, Evolve exhibition to a new exhibition themed around memory, in partnership with the Printmakers Council.

Watch: Morgan Pearse and Chad Vindin Live From ROSL

Watch last night's recital from the Princess Alexandra Hall, featuring 2013 ROSL Annual Music Competition Gold Medal winner baritone Morgan Pearse, with ROSL 2016 collaborative piano winner Chad Vindin. 

Watch: Navigating the China Relationship

Yesterday, three speakers; The Hon. Alexander Downer AC, Stephen Crisp, and Guy Drury; discussed three national relationships with China: Australia, US and UK, and their potential threats and opportunities. 

Watch: On the Right Track? The Future of Rail in the UK

Missed yesterday's webinar with Lord Berkeley? Don't worry, you can watch the full Evelyn Wrench Lecture here.

Watch: Pop Up Creators

Visitors to the ROSL clubhouse in Spring 2018 will remember the wonderful exhibition featuring leperello stories from young illustrators across the Baltics and the UK, which was hosted in partnership with Pop Up Projects. 

Watch: ROSL Champagne Recital Attended by HRH Princess Alexandra

On 9 November, ROSL hosted a champagne recital featuring 2016 Annual Music Competition Gold Medal winner Emily Sun violin and 2011 Keyboard Prize winner Ashley Fripp piano, in the presence of ROSL Vice Patron HRH Princess Alexandra. 

Watch: Tales from the Himalayas by Henry Edmundson

If you missed our online talk last week, fear not. This is your chance to hear how after over five decades of trekking and climbing in the Himalayan mountains, Henry is in a position of authority to mark the changes that have occurred over time and how people from various walks of life have been impacted by them. 

Watch: The Crown in Crisis by Alexander Larman

Watch our book talk with author and historian Alexander Larman again here, as he discusses his new book The Crown in Crisis, which explores the relationship between Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. 

Watch: The Impact of Climate Change on the Commonwealth

Professor Tim Benton, Leader of the Energy, Environment and Resources programme at Chatham House; Jeff Ardron, Adviser on Ocean Governance at the Commonwealth Secretariat; and Dr Daniel Wilde, economic adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat, discuss with Michael McKay the varying threats of climate change on Commonwealth countries.