Design for Murder- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Posted on June 18, 2014 by garylongden

design

Set in the 1970’s, this psychological thriller, written by Donald F East, unfolds in the living room of Clive and Moira Richards replete with ghastly furniture and a record player. Although the costume is neutral, with the fashion excesses of the decade studiously avoided, the period is nicely evoked with incidental music by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass playing Bacharach/David classics as instrumentals.

Clive (Paul Lavers) and Moira (Carly Nickson) are a middle class couple existing in a loveless marriage which explodes as secrets, passion and treachery overwhelm them. Lavers is dry and understated, Nickson neatly unfolds from carping, irritating, shrew, to scheming player. Opposite them in this four-hander are Philip Norden (Peter Amory) and Jane Richards (Bridget Lambert). Amory is best known for his part as plotting businessman Chris Tate in Emmerdale , and he reprises that role in this production as the business partner of Clive, and lover of Moira. However his plans are challenged by the appearance of a mystery woman, Jane Richards, whose conniving , brassy ways, Lambert revels in.

The story plays out over six scenes in two acts. The slow first scene is in stark contrast to the eventful climax of the final scene in the final act. Author Donald East uses a love triangle as the start point for his drama, then adds some twists and turns to beef up the action laced with some welcome humour. This is not a “whodunit”, more a “who is going to do what to whom ?” Offering no profanity , or any risqué material, the drama is cerebral rather than visceral, and a safe genre piece.

After the final curtain Peter Amory steps forward, out of character, to thank the theatre, and audience, for their support for the production which was a nice touch. Design for Murder runs until Saturday 21st June.

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Lines- Phil Binding

Posted on May 20, 2014 by garylongden

“Stories of Railway Folk and other important people”
railways

Some dismiss poetry as esoteric, ethereal, and divorced from the everyday. Those doubters would be well advised to consider Phil Binding’s debut collection. Binding was a railwayman in the days of British Rail. His writing has the precision of a train timetable, but the emotion of steam.

The sub-heading is a good introduction as the poetry is of people. Gnarled, tough characters, forged by heavy engineering and long hours, stalk the rails. But their stories are told with a soft brush, and a warm heart.

The pivotal poem of the collection is “The singing rail” whose graceful elegiac opening is shattered by the realisation that this is the tale of a suicide, told in the first person by the driver.

“They found me in the cab at derby, hand still
gripping the dead mans’ handle like a rigor- mortis claw
They led me gently away, for I could not see
Anything except those eyes, and the sun on the bright rail”

It is people who are centre stage . Jasmine is a single parent, struggling to make ends meet, Arthur is The pickled onion stabber and Railway Tea is drunk in abundance.

Black and white photographs of the railway abound, evoking an affectionate sense of nostalgia, and the poems themselves serve as snapshots of a bygone era, and an industry radically altered by technology and privatisation. Binding has carved out a niche for himself, in industrial poetry, where the machinery and the people are as one. His closing poem is a charged coda to the collection, a career, and an epoch.

The End

My oily cap is gone, lost in the hills.
Many winters lay in its folds.
Yet never would I weep for m small loss,
Ignoring what the future holds.

You younger ones; you lads are the losers,
More than old headgear have you lost.
Your cheapened lives are poor, growing poorer
Slaughtered on the later of cost

I walk away, farewell, regretting naught.
Valley of dragons, tempt me not.
My flowing eyes are wet, but not with grief.
The coals of my heart burn ever hot.

Phil Binding can be found performing most months at Spoken Worlds in Burton on Trent, the event has a facebook page.

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Unlucky 2013 by Paul Francis

Posted on May 18, 2014 by garylongden

paul francis
Poets were once feared and jailed for their forthright and controversial views, yet the contemporary view of poets ,and poetry, tends to be rather more soft than that, with absent punctuation and rhyming the main source of consternation amongst a broader readership.

Paul Francis is a retired schoolteacher from Shropshire who is a prominent and welcome presence on the West Midlands and Borders poetry circuit. He attends and performs at Slams and festivals , as well as conventional readings ,and is a volunteer for the Wenlock Poetry Festival. It is often said that you cannot write great poetry without going out and finding it, by reading or meeting. Paul soaks up influences wherever he goes.

His most recent collection is an angry polemic on the state of the nation, Unlucky 2013. His rallying cry is laid down in Mission Statement in the final line: “We’re all in this together, aren’t we? No!”, The coda ,What Might Have Been, does not anticipate that things will turn out fine either. What I liked about this collection is its immediacy. The writing is straight and direct. There is no subtle allegory or pithy word play, just full on emotion, something which poetry, and Paul Francis do rather well. My favourite poem is The Ballad of Shaker Aamer, the insistent, almost jolly, rhyme belies a shameful story:

“Down in a bunker, there’s people we don’t know,
Who say which body is on the plane and where it needs to go”

It is as if Francis has taken the Daily Mail for a month, kept the headlines, and chosen to reply to each one poetically, although I somehow doubt that the Mail will be serialising this collection!

So instead of poetry’s traditional milieu of love, nature and introspection we have the bedroom tax, problem families and secret courts to contend with , all of the latter will I suspect strike a greater chord with many than the former subject might have done. Thirty five years ago The Clash spat out at their inception in White Riot;

“All the power is in the hands of the people rich enough to buy it
While we walk the streets to chicken to even try it
And everybody’s doing, just what they are told to
And nobody wants, to go to jail
White Riot I want to riot white riot I want a riot of my own”

I feel confident that Paul Francis and Joe Strummer would have got on just fine. And these poems in this collection feel like a punk rock album, short sharp shocks, biting, grabbing, then stepping back, wanting a reaction. I have had the pleasure of hearing Paul perform several of these, and their strength is even greater in a performed environment as part of a body of work. Satisfying and provoking.

Copies are available from: Liberty Books. Much Wenlock, TF13 6JQ,priced £3

francisliberty@btinternet.com

See Paul’s website:www.paulfranciswrites.co.uk

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UB40 at Uttoxeter Races

Posted on May 18, 2014 by garylongden

live
I have always had an ambivalent relationship with UB40. I still recall the excitement of hearing their debut single, King/ Food for Thought in 1980, and going out to buy it immediately. Like everybody, I assumed the lead singer was black, until I saw photos of a very white Ali Campbell. The sound was that of a reggae band, forged in the multi- cultural melting pot that was, and is, Birmingham and was as authentic as it came. They have gone on to sell 70 million albums, by any measure a hugely successful career. Yet I wonder what might have been.

Those early recordings were not a tribute, re-working, or reimagining of reggae. Instead they were part of it, an evolution of the sound, which was fresh, accessible but challenging. It had neither the cultural nor commercial cynicism of the Clash and Police’s work on reggae turf. Success happened quickly for the band, maybe artistically too quickly, as, after just a year, their repertoire was inevitably limited when their first hit single broke. But listen to the when their first hit single broke, listen to the You tube clip of their John Peel session reading of King , recorded in 1980, and you are taken to raw emotion and musical wonder, passion over riding any technical limitations.

Right from the start, purist critics charged Campbell with popularising black reggae ,as a watered down white imitation. Further claiming that if he had not been white, the band would not have enjoyed the success they did. They are charges that can never be proved, you cannot rewrite an alternative history. What you can do is examine the facts. The band triumphed, the fans bought the music in droves, and thirty five years on, they are still popular. Maybe having a white man imitating a black man singing black music with white and black musicians was a gimmick, but it worked.

The first album, Signing Off, contained two cover versions, I think its going to rain today and strange fruit , but neither were well known and blended effortlessly with the high quality original material. That formula survived three albums before Labour of Love, their fourth, and a covers album. The previous three had been released annually and had reached 2nd, 2nd and fourth in the best- selling album charts, a fine and rare achievement.

Labour of Love reached No 1 with No1 Single Red Red Wine leading the way. Thereafter their musical success was, and is, as a covers band, their most recent album covering Country music classics. Some, myself included, lost interest at that point as they became a karaoke cabaret style band, albeit with continued success. And over the years the line-up has fractured too with original and long-standing frontman Ali Campbell leaving the band, later with original members Astro and Mickey Virtue joining him, soon to tour as an alternative UB40. Ali was replaced by his brother Duncan, who looks and sounds like him, prompting an acrimonious family, as well as band schism.I suspect that many in the audience at Uttoxeter were unaware that it was not Ali singing, such are the physical and phrasing similarities.

I had never been to a gig at a racecourse before. It worked surprisingly well as an evening meeting on a gloriously sunny late spring day. The crowd of around 8000 had been drinking and enjoying themselves for the racing between mid- afternoon and 9pm, so were well warmed up for the evening entertainment. A racecourse is no bad place for an open air concert with its ample toilet, bar and refreshment facilities complete with terraces, stands and pa system. The stage was large and professional, the sound clear and loud enough, the weather was perfect.
uttoxeter

The gig itself brought out my best, and worst feelings, for the band. Food for thought, One in Ten and Kingston Town were magnificent. The rest was pleasant enough mood music. When they announced “something off the new album” during the encore it signalled a stampede for the exits to beat the car park rush- the prospect of “I Can’t help falling in Love” to finish was not enough. Duncan Campbell is good, but does not have the vocal range or charisma of his brother, possessing the manner of an imposter, fearful that he will be found out. Yet the show in the round was an undoubted success. Grannies tapped their open toed sandals at the Neil Diamond number, the casual were impressed by the hits, the uncommitted will have found little to dislike as the reggae rhythms drifted into the cooling night air, and the devoted were treated to a fine set.

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Black Adder Goes Forth, Dudley Little Theatre, Netherton Arts Centre

Posted on May 14, 2014 by garylongden

Blackadder

Stage adaptations of television comedy series have a chequered history , but when the script is as well written as this, by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, the company has a head start , and so it proved for this production on the opening night in a year which marks the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

Black Adder helped define the careers of some of the finest comic acting talent of a generation, producing performances which in turn established some much loved characters, and popularised certain phrases. Playing such well known characters, and playing out familiar lines in much loved scenes, is a daunting task ,but one which Dudley Little Theatre took in its stride.

As the lights went down we were invited to “pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile”. An invocation which an appreciative audience was happy to endorse as the cast marched through the auditorium.

Talented and enthusiastic, they were well up for the challenge with an engaging performance from James Silvers as the over-enthusiastic Lieutenant George, Andrew Rock offered a different and nuanced Captain Darling, and Tony Stamp was a winning, world-weary, Captain Blackadder. The firing squad scene was the funniest of the night as Blackadder desperately tries to escape his fate after the most disastrous Court- Martial defence in history.

The television characters were not replicated as imitations, and were all the better for it – the script was faithfully replicated, but the interpretations added something new. Andrew Rocks’ Darling was particularly good when faced with being sent to the front line, tough and vulnerable in the twitch of an eye.

Although the lines, and punch-lines are well known, the humour was fresh, and poignant. The dim-witted Baldrick, was affectionately portrayed by Ellis Daker, whose cunning plans always fell short. Gareth May excelled as the pompous, myopic, General Melchett.

Under the direction of Rebecca Gee, the story moved briskly amongst a simple, but effective set. The scenes were interspersed with period songs, adding atmosphere and colour to the evening.

The show incorporated three episodes of the TV series, culminating in the final episode named “Goodbyeee”, in which our heroes, having finally accepted their duty, go “over the top” into No Man’s Land ,their slow motion charge to oblivion effectively reimagining the television finale.

A century on, Black Adder has become part of the popular consciousness of World War One, for some, controversially. What struck me about the script and production was its humanity. I suspect that a German could have written something similar from the opposite trenches. It never sneers or snarls, instead it smiles in the face of adversity and death.

Black Adder Goes Forth runs until 17th May , a faithful and energetically produced production.

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At the Crossroads- Bible, Burlesque and the Blues, Lichfield Garrick Studio

Posted on May 10, 2014 by garylongden

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Cities have always , since Sodom and Gomorrah , attracted and repelled in equal measure . In modern times , the grandeur of Place de la Concorde and Buckingham Palace are counterpointed by the festering banlieue and council tower blocks. Contemporary pop culture also celebrates its allure, from Joy Division’s Shadowplay, “ in the centre of the city where all roads meet waiting for you” to Suedes’ Asphalt World, “Sometimes we ride in a taxi to the ends of the city, Like big stars in the back seat like skeletons ever so pretty”. Thus, it represents fertile ground for Simon Quinn and Mal Dewhirst, director and writer respectively, for a modern day parable of the Bible Story.

The Blues are synonymous with urban poverty, giving a voice to the underclass, as Jesus did, so the anachronistic juxtaposition is shrewdly made. What unfolds is an episodic modern reimagining of Bible tales rounded off by the crucifixtion, interspersed with Blues standards. The songs are sung live , sometimes as solos, sometimes as ensemble, the music is a backing track with live guitar played by axeman Ben Macnair. Ben plays impressive Blues slide guitar in a style reminiscent of Ry Cooder adding atmosphere and authenticity to proceedings. A more prominent place in the sound mix would not have gone amiss.

A large and enthusiastic cast doubled up on roles offering commitment and enthusiasm. Emma Allen is a wonderfully greedy Greed, amassing wealth with an avarice which will surely have Goldman Sachs knocking on her door soon. She also played a Burlesque dancer with elan, and a smile, as well as possessing one of the best singing voices on the night. Simon Quinn was disturbingly convincing as Letch, with a voice culled from Alfred Steptoe, and a persona from Tommy’s Uncle Ernie, he illuminated every scene he appeared in, with a flash.

The part of The Messiah is always a tricky one to cast. In this production convention is bravely turned on its head by casting him as an old man, rather than bearded thirty-something. He is an anti-hero, a little fey, sometimes bemused and confused , and given the run around by the Devil for whom he is no match. His crucifixion is portrayed as no triumph, his quiescence to his persecution and beating, meted out with considerable enthusiasm by the female guards, offering an ambiguous reading of who wins. His closing performance of Nobody’s fault But Mine was delivered with pathos and conviction, one of the shows vocal highlights. The song itself was an inspired choice.

However the star of the show, in the tradition that the devil has the best tunes, is The Devil, played by Ruth Adams. Sexy, sassy and coy, quite frankly she could lead anyone astray, and does ,with a performance which is a delight. Her solo of Little Red Rooster smouldered with an intensity which was surely stoked by the fires of Hell. She strutted along Aspiration Blvd, she shimmied in the X- Bar , and seduced in Hotel De Luded. Who wouldn’t want to go down to the crossroads?
trio
The episodic and multi-character nature of the script meant that you sometimes had to listen hard to appreciate an eloquent and humorous script. “There is no money in poetry, and no poetry in money” will have been well received by the several poets present, the rhyming of derriere with chair is probably a first. An intriguing, and witty, sub-plot also emerged as parallels were drawn between the Red Devils and the Devil. We are told that fair justice is the basis for building a defence- is that where Moyes went wrong using Cleverly instead? Was Moyes the Chosen One? Was Sir Alex a False Prophet of whom we should beware? Did the orange capes of the guards anticipate the appointment of Van Gaal?

For poignancy and power, the best cameo performance came from an actor not in the room. It came in the form of a movingly filmed crucifixion scene, shot in Wade St Methodist Church Lichfield with Anthony Webster a convincing and compelling dying Christ. An honourable mention is also due to Neil Thorne’s Pontious Pilate acted out as a flouncy Game show host in a scene which begged for more time.

In an era of jukebox musicals it is a pleasure to see innovative, imaginative new work being commissioned and written. Credit and thanks should be offered to the Lichfield Mysteries and BBC Performing Arts Fund for their support, and to the Fired Up Theatre company for offering amateurs in the community the opportunity to be involved in a professional quality production.

At the Crossroads, Bible Burlesque and the Blues plays again tonight at 7.30pm.

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At the Crossroads- Bible, Burlesque and the Blues

Posted on May 5, 2014 by garylongden

untitled (2)

At the Crossroads- Bible, Burlesque and the Blues will be playing at the Lichfield Garrick Studio on Friday 9th, and Sat 10th May. Garyswordz managed to grab some time with the show’s writer Mal Dewhirst to find out more. Mal is a past Staffordshire Poet Laureate and Creative Director of the Fired Up Theatre Company who are presenting this show with the Lichfield Mysteries.

1. What is the show about?

Perhaps I should say what it is not about first, it is not about a Motel somewhere in the Midlands with cardboard walls, there is no Meg or Jill or Sandy, no Miss Diane or Benny. So having got that out the way and perhaps now people won’t ask me if that is where we got the idea for our production.

At the Crossroads is a tragi-comedy that explores temptation and how we may be seduced by it. The play develops from the Marlow’s Dr Faustus and the idea of being tempted to sell your soul to the Devil in exchange for a short time of fame and fortune. Continuing with this theme we bring in the music of Robert Johnson who legend has it, sold his soul to the devil at the Crossroads.

The Crossroads in our production is the part of any town or city where people come for entertainment; it is where the bars, clubs, gambling joints are tempting people to come looking for fun. It has its bright lights, its glitter top but also its underbelly where those who seek to exploit people connive their schemes.

The Devil and the seven deadly sins are to main protagonists of all things sinful, whose schemes rule the lives of those who come to the Crossroads. Until the arrival of Messiah who sees both the temptation and all it has to offer and the deprivation of those who succumb to the debauchery and is determined to change the order of things.

2. Is it a play, or a musical?

The most appropriate description I would say it is primarily a play that melds dialogue with music and dance. It is not a musical and I am sure those who are into musical theatre would not describe it as such.

3. When is the story set?

The story takes place now, but with some strong character references to 2000 years ago and the time of the crucifixion.

3. Does it feature live music?

The music is a mix of a backing track and a live guitarist, (Ben Macnair), the music has been developed by Tom Brookes (The Pinch) and Ben based upon the tracks that I selected from the Blues canon to feature in the show.

4. What part does Burlesque play?

Burlesque, the dance of teasing and temptation has all the elements to excite and to arouse, its sensual movement with the vibrant colours of feathers and costume was the perfect dance from for this production.

The Devil played by Ruth Adams, is a female burlesque dancer, surrounded by her alter egos, Lucifer and Satan played by Emma Allen and Emma Smith who are responsible for choreographing all the dance sequences.

6. What part does the Bible play?

The bible gives us the story, the context of the last days of Jesus’ life on earth from which I developed this story. I used mostly the Book of Luke, as the version of the crucifixion from which I drew the core of my research, the crucifixion scene takes is dialogue directly from Luke 23 32:43.

7. The city has been a place which lures and repels since Biblical times, what part does it play in this production?

The scenes are set in two locations, The Wilderness of nothing but rocks and sand as a contrast to the City where the Crossroads sits among the temples, the banks, places of trade and commerce to the homes of the city dwellers.

The city in the show is a fictious place, it is every town. We sometimes see the city for all its glitter and opportunity; we ignore the risks as they are often drowned out by the beats and neon lights that entice us in to some of the devastating life changing decisions.

That being the dark side, it is also a place of fun, laughter, dance music and good times and if it is only a hangover that you get the next day then why not go back for more.

Messiah gets lured in but is also repelled back into the wilderness by the uncertainty of his thoughts and feelings.

8. What is the background of the performers?

The performers are drawn from the community and are all amateur; we have a mix of performers from Tamworth and Lichfield. Many of the Tamworth performers have worked with us before and are part of the Fired Up Theatre Company, Most of them worked on productions such as Quadrophenia, with one of the performers, Will Green having been with us since The Wall and Colin Grazier Enigma.

The Lichfield performers are drawn from many theatrical groups, with many being seasoned performers in the Lichfield Mysteries.

It has really brought together some fantastic local talent to be part of what I think is fantastic production to have been involved.

9. What inspired you to become involved with the show?

Simon Quinn the Director and I were approached by Jill Taylor of the Lichfield Mysteries and given the opportunity to create something totally new within the themes and traditions of the mysteries.

We were given a total freehand to develop a new piece of theatre. Jill asked us to come up with our ideas on what we might want to do; this was what attracted us both to this project being given a freehand to develop new theatre.

Simon has for a long time wanted to explore the Faustian concepts and in some ways we did with Pink in the Wall and the Jimmy’s in Quadrophenia, selling their souls to their demons, but Simon wanted to push this further and explore the idea that Jesus may have been tempted to sell his soul to the Devil.

I have always been fascinated by the Blues, and the legends of singers such as Robert Johnson and his supposed deal with the Devil at the Crossroads, that saw him turn from being a mediocre guitar player and song writer, into the great influence that he became before he died at the age of 27.

So we developed our ideas around these two ideas and added in the burlesque as a result of being introduced to it through our chorographers.

We pitched it to Jill and the Lichfield Mysteries team and they gave us the go-ahead to develop it.

The Lichfield Mysteries are producing the show along with Garrick and it has been funded by the BBC Performing Arts fund, all to whom we are extremely grateful.

10. How did you select the songs to feature in the show?

I have been a real fan of the Blues from the late 1970’s, initially through Led Zeppelin, from which I explored the roots of the songs and widened my listening to include Eric Clapton, The Yardbirds, Cream and the Rolling Stones until eventually I found the original blues artists such as Robert Johnson, Willie Dixon, Son House and Blind Willie Johnson, so I was aware of a great deal of Blues music from which I could select the songs for the show.

Most of the songs are from Robert Johnson, Blind Willie Johnson and traditional sources, which these Blues singers developed and popularised in the 1920’s to 1940’s.

Many of them have been covered by the British Blues bands of the latter half of the 20th Century.

The songs were chosen for their themes in relation to the script, I also changed some of the lyrics the reflect the characters and the story, this often happened in the Blues tradition that artists making cover versions would change the lyrics to create their own versions.

11. Will there be songs in the show that most of the audience will know?

Many of the songs will be known to the audience although people may not have realised their origins lie with the original Blues singer song writers.

Crossroads Blues is an original Robert Johnson song that has been covered by Cream and Eric Clapton. As is 32-20 Blues and Me and Devil Blues which are lesser known but both featured on Eric Clapton’s Me and Mr Johnson Album.

The Revelator is a call and response song who origins are unknown; it was picked up and re-written by Blind Willie Johnson, Son House made the recording that influenced our version.

The Little Red Rooster again another traditional song that was developed by Willie Dixon and is perhaps best known through the Rolling Stones version.

Blind Willie Johnson whose influences lie within Gospel Blues also provides us with two songs that he developed from traditional songs. In my time of Dying, which was later covered by Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin and Nobody’s Fault but mine which was also covered by Led Zeppelin and Nina Simone?

12. Have you created any new music for the show?

We have created our own arrangements of the songs mentioned above through Tom and Ben. Ben has also improvised the incidental blues sound that underscores the scenes.

There is one new song The Wilderness, which was written by Simon from one of the development workshops.

13. What relevance does the Blues have to the contemporary music scene, or is this a nostalgia trip?

I think music moves on but always has its roots always set in what went before, such that contemporary music is a progression from Blues, Jazz, Rock and Roll, Punk and the Pop genres that have gone before. Music evolves without necessarily realising where its deepest roots are and I don’t think that matters.

Is The Blues relevant today? Well B.B. King still sells out and was very well received at Glastonbury, in recent years both Cream and Led Zeppelin have reformed for one off sell out gigs.

Artists such as Joe Bonamassa have major followings worldwide. Then if you want some who is totally contemporary then check out Bradford’s very own Chantel McGregor who is an unexpected delight.

Tinariwen, a group of Tuareg musicians from the deserts of Africa are further developing the Blues into new horizons.

I have to also admit that there is also a hint of nostalgia.

14. Which Blues artists stand out for you, and why?

For me, Robert Johnson, Howlin Wolf, Son House, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Memphis Minne, Willie Dixon and Leadbelly from the original blues singers, they took the traditional African American songs from the cotton fields and developed them into standards that defined the Blues.

Alexis Korner who started the British Blues scene that saw the rise of The Yardbirds, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page on to Cream and Led Zeppelin all of whom took the Blues and brought it new audiences, even bringing the original singers over to Britain and taking the Blues back to America and introducing to audiences who had overlooked it when it was hollerin’ in their own backyards.

I would also mention the Blues Poet, Langston Hughes as being an important voice from the culture of the Blues.

15. Why do you think that Blues music has endured?

I think Rock and Roll with its roots clearly in 12 Bar Blues has played a part in the Blues longevity, but I think it was the British Blues Invasion that truly cemented the blues in to the world psyche.

America with the racial tensions of the middle 20th Century saw very few people engaged in promoting the Blues. America’s musical focus was on Big Bands, Jazz and Country Music.

America is largely rural place and Country Music was and probably still is the most listened to music.

It was the exponents of the Blues from Britain that took it back and became the biggest promoters of the musical form that it is today. I think the way that the likes of Alexis Korner and Eric Clapton showed the utmost respect for the music and its origins that saw their acceptance among the original artists.

16. What audience are you aiming at?
Ah back to the play, I can get lost in the Blues.

The production is aimed at anyone who wants to see a different perspective to story of the crucifixion, it has comedy and the hopefully will delight in many scenes even if it has tragic ending.

It is also aimed at anyone who loves the Blues or Burlesque.

It is not Jesus Christ Superstar or The Life of Brian, it is a contemporary view of our lives and some of the things that we sometimes engage in without thought for the consequences

17. What has been your role in this production?

I am joint artistic director along with Simon; we collaborate in devising theatre, through working with the community and local actors to develop the themes.

Simon and I jointly defined the story line and I then wrote the script.

I have also been managing the development of the projections which have been provided by John Brooking and Stuart Goodwin and his team.

18. What has been Simon Quinn’s role?

After the initial development work described above, Simon’s role has been taking the script and directing the actors in its delivery. Simon is also giving a wonderful performance playing the part of one of the seven deadly sins.

19. Are there any scenes which we should particularly watch out for?

There are several scenes, including the wilderness scenes, which provide repeated theme. The introduction scene at the Crossroads has a lot of laughter and fun and without giving anything away the reveal at the crucifixion.

But really it is all relevant.

20. What future projects are you lining up?

After the production, Simon and I going to take a well earned break before we start rehearsals on a reprise of our production the Colin Grazier Enigma, which is to be staged at Symphony Hall in Birmingham in July. And personally I want to get back to writing some poetry and reading at Spoken Word events again.
Finally we will not be singing “Always look on the bright side of life” during the crucifixion scene, for those who have not already asked.

FUT LOGO 1

Tickets are available from the Lichfield Garrick Box office: http://www.lichfieldgarrick.com/#
Associated links:
http://www.fireduptheatre.co.uk/
http://pollysworda.wordpress.com/tag/mal-dewhirst/

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The Kingfisher, Sutton Arts Theatre

Posted on May 1, 2014 by garylongden

kingfisher
This was a left-field choice by Sutton Arts, a seldom performed piece written over a quarter of a century ago. Author William Douglas Home’s lineage is as the maverick brother of Tory PM Sir Alec . He lived in the rarefied world of the English upper class ( although a Scot) all his life, and although written in 1977, The Kingfisher owes its feel to the drawing room and parlours of the early 20th century. During the Second World War he was court –martialled, and imprisoned, for failing to obey orders, post war, he became a hugely successful playwright with numerous West End successes.

A three hander, the action revolves around two aristocrats, Cecil and Evelyn, whose youthful love had never been rewarded with marriage, and Cecil’s butler, Hawkins. Cecil and Evelyn have continued to hold feelings for each other through all the years. Now widowed will she marry him? Is love lovelier, the second time around?

This is a slight, feather-light, gentle piece, offering gentle humour, gentle manners and gentle characters in a carefully crafted, wry, bitter-sweet comedy. The pastimes of the idle rich, golf and bridge, preoccupy their minds, but the humour endures, and survives for a contemporary audience. The scene in which the amorous couple get down for some passion, but are less able to get up, is the comic set-piece which has the audience guffawing with laughter.

Director Mavis Atkinson places the proceedings in its time , with a single set, in the garden of a country house ,and deftly manages a convincing cast who are all of the age of their characters. Her success is in producing characters rather than the characterisations which might have appeared. Philandering novelist Cecil is played with some swagger by David Bligh whose blunderbuss approach to his love life has unsurprisingly fallen short. Myra Mitchell’s interpretation of Evelyn is of a coy and elegant woman, somewhat sharper, and certainly wiser than Cecil. Rob Alexander is a delight as the unctuous and deferential butler Hawkins, with an intriguing veiled sub-plot as to whether his closeness with his employer might go beyond what his contract requires.

Augmenting the comedy is plenty of old age reflection. Can you make up for mistakes of the past? Can a leopard ever change its spots? Neither Cecil nor Evelyn are virtuous , maybe Evelyn is just as amoral as Cecil, just a bit smarter at it? Although in the autumn of their lives, spring beckons, and the cuckoo calls . As for The Kingfisher, which one of them is it?

The Kingfisher runs until the 10th May.

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Midlands Poetry What’s On May 2014

Posted on April 29, 2014 by garylongden

A mad month packed full of great poetry with the festival season in full swing. Local events are equally strong too with Poetry Alight in Lichfield playing on Tuesday 13th May with Jean Atkins and Tony Stringfellow. If all the festival events were counted individually, we would have over 200 events in 30 days!

Festivals

Sat 26th Apr Stratford upon Avon Literary Festival -until 4/5:

http://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/

6th May-11th May Chipping Campden Lit Festival

http://www.campdenlitfest.co.uk/contentok.php?id=88

sat 3rd-5th May Shrewsbury Bookfest

http://www.shrewsburybookfest.co.uk/#/whats-on/4559069123

1st-14th May Swindon Festival of Literature including youth and adult poetry slams

http://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/whats-on/swindon-festival-of-literature-2014-p509473

17th May-24th Nailsworth Festival inc Poetry Slam

Home

22nd May- 26th Audlem Festival, Cheshire including Poetry Slam on the opening night

http://www.audlemfestival.com/

22nd May -1st June Hay Festival

http://www.hayfestival.com/portal/index.aspx?skinid=1&localesetting=en-GB

Leek Arts Festival May30

Home 2

Day by day

Thurs 1st Poetry Jam, Urban Coffee Company, Church St, Birmingham City Centre, 7pm, free

Come jam with an open community of creative minds for yet another Poetry Jam!!!

FREE ENTRY starting promptly at 7pm to fit as many performers in as possible (advised to come early as seats have proven to fill up fairly quickly).

OPEN MIC, sign up on arrival we welcome poetry, spoken word, rap etc.

If you have a spare moment and want to help us keep these events as good as they can be, please give us some feedback: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5WVZ5FT

For more info please email info@beatfreeks.com

Look forward to seeing many of you there,
Spread the word!

#TeamBeatfreeks

Thurs 1st Shrewsbury Coffee House Poetry, Castle Gates, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm, With Liz Lefroy ,An open mic with special guest appearance – author Peter Wright – all the way from bonnie Scotland! Peter is author of three books about the Watershed of Scotland, including ‘Ribbon of Wildness’ Friends of the Ribbon of Wildness Open Mic slots – Peter Shilston Lucy Aphramor Ted Eames Stuart Favill Paul Francis

This is an extra-special evening as we’ll be moving our regular first Thursday poetry evenings to a new venue on 5th June. We LOVE the Shrewsbury Coffeehouse, and Jessicah Kendrick and all her staff have been wonderful and kind, but the poetry events, which started over two years ago as small gatherings in the basement, have got bigger and bigger, and we all need to be able to get close enough to hear the words. So I’m especially looking forward to this one, and I might even cry a bit, especially if Evie Donnelly and / or Keaton Kendrick are on shift. But, we will return for special events, I hope.

Sun 4th Buzzwords, Leckhampton,Cheltenham First Sunday (ex August) 1900- 2200 Exmouth Arms in Leckhampton, Cheltenham, £5in. Worksop 7pm-9pm. Open Mic and guest poet after Charles Bennett

Sun 4th Kiddi Creatives Poetry Slam, Boars Head, Kiderminster. 7.30pm:

Admission £3 (free to performers)

To find out more, read Fergus McGonigal’s interview with himself:

Q. What on earth is a poetry slam?
A. It’s a wild and euphoric poetry event – for people who wouldn’t normally do anything involving the word “poetry” (and also for people who would) and we’re having one in Kidderminster on Sunday May 4th at The Boar’s Head.

Q. How does this unlikely marriage of “poetry” and “wild euphoria” happen?
A. You have a dozen or so poets all competing to be the Slam Champion while the audience cheer, stamp their feet, whoop, holler, clap, and generally make a highly-charged atmosphere (but, you know, not while the poets are speaking).

Q. Sounds very combative – do the poets fight?
A. Er, no, they don’t fight; watching poets fight is a bit like watching Pete Docherty playing tennis: ridiculous, amusing in its own way, but they all have to have a bit of a sit down after about 30 seconds and everyone goes home feeling a bit useless. I imagine.

Q. So, what do the poets do then, if not hand-to-hand combat?
A. Each poet has 3 minutes to recite or read a poem which s/he has written. They are then given a score by some randomly selected audience members (who have no connection to any of the poets) and the best five scoring poets go through to a second round.

Q. How do you score a poet?
A. On three things: (i) the quality of the writing; (ii) the quality of the performing; and (iii) the “warmth” of the audience reaction.

Q. The warmth of the audience reaction?
A. The audience are the most important feature of any slam: they create the atmosphere with all their noise-making; the louder the audience are in response to a poet, the higher the marks for the warmth of the audience reaction.

Q. What happens to the poets who don’t make it to the next round?
A. They then become part of the audience. In our slam, they’ll all receive a poetry book for their efforts (albeit a second-hand one). After the first round, there is an interval.

Q. And the five poets who do make it through to the second round: what do they do next – same poem, different poem, a game of tennis, what?
A. After the interval, they each have another 3 minutes to read/recite a different poem. They’re scored again and the highest two go through to a final.

Q. What happened to those poets who don’t make it through to the final?
A. They become part of the audience. In our slam, though, they’ll receive a poetry book (shiny and new).

Q. I’m guessing that the final is another 3 minutes each with the highest scoring poet emerging as Kidderminster Creatives Slam Champion?
A. That’s right. The Runner-up will get a hardback poetry book and a free Mouth and Music badge while the winner will receive the much sought-after bespoke Kidderminster Creatives Slam Champion Trophy, made by our very own Coz. Oh, yes, and £50.

Q. 50 quid!? Can I enter?
A. The slam is open to anyone who has ever written a poem and would like to take part. The poem doesn’t have to be 3 minutes – it can be shorter. It doesn’t have to be learned by heart; it may be read. The poem can be serious, funny, fast, slow, rhyming, non-rhyming: anything, so long as it’s original. Anyone who wants to enter can email me at fergusthepoet@gmail.com. Several places have already been taken, but there are plenty still left. Places in the slam will be given on a first-come/first served basis.

Q. Is that it then?
A. Pretty much. Slams are fast and furious and seem to be over before they’ve begun. They are always great fun. They’re raucous, exciting affairs and may just change your attitude towards poetry (even if you’re already a fan, and definitely if you’re not), so do give it a try – you won’t be disappointed.

Mon 5th Gorilla slam, Delaneys bar, 17 Cemetery rd Sheffield, S11 8FJ 7.30pm start, with William blake and Addie Abbot

Tues 6th Open mic, The Sitting Room,3 Upper Galdeford (above Thai Box), SY8 1QD Ludlow, 7.30pm.

Join us again in The Sitting Room for an evening of poetry and revelry in very soft sofas.
Your compere for the evening, will be James Sheard if he’ll agree to it…

Tues 6th Word ,Y Theatre, East Street, Leicester LE1 6EY, just opposite Leicester Train Station7pm performers, 8pm, Audience, Open mic plus headliner.
WORD! is the longest running poetry and spoken word night in Leicester. Based at The Y Theatre, Leicester, it takes place on the first Tuesday of every month, between 8.00 and 10.30pm. The evening is composed of an open mic, followed by a booked act-

WORD!…With Panya Banjoko
Supported by Liz Gray
The Y Theatre, 7 East Street, Leicester
8pm (performers 7pm)
£3/£4

In May we warmly welcome Panya Banjoko – supported by Liz Gray…

About Panya:

Panya the Poet is a spoken word artist and writer. Her work has been described as ‘hip hop energy with plenty of shrewd words’. She has been artist in resident at the International School, Stuttgart Germany, the National Trust’s 100 verses and at Achimota Preparatory School, Ghana. She was one of the Poet Coaches for Shake the Dust and has won the Black Women in the Arts award for Outstanding Achievement.

Her first published work Brain Drain was published in IC3 – An Anthology of New Black Writing In Britain, Penguin (2000). Since then her work has been published in a number of anthologies including, the University of Nottingham’s From the Aether and Out of Bounds, Bloodaxe Press. She has also published two early year’s books – Bibi’s Museum Adventure and Hari at the Castle.

She has worked extensively with museums as a freelance creative writer and has managed a number of projects including SANKOFA, in partnership with Wedgwood. She regularly writes creative packs to accompany Museum’s Community Loans Boxes and recently published No Tears For Me My Mother about WWII Ex-servicemen. In-between working as a writer she hosts a talk show on a digital radio station.

About Liz:

Liz Gray wrote her first poem at the age of eight, but didn’t start performing until her first visit to Word! Since then she has written a number of ‘landmark’ poems including ‘The Ballad of the Bowstring Bridge’, ‘Richard III’ (does what it says on the tin) and a protest against the Bedroom Tax called ‘There’s a War on’. She has headlined at Pinggk!, performed at De Montfort Hall and at the Donkey for International Women’s Day. The photo shows her performing a poem specially written for Sing for Water at Bede Island Park Festival in 2013.

**********

If you would like to share work as part of the event, arrive for 7pm and sign up with this month’s compere – Mombowie Starchild!

*********

http://www.wordpoetry.eu/

Wed 7th Spire Writes, White Swan, Chesterfield, 7.30pm free in.
We’re back in May with another great line up of open mic and guest readings.

Kate Fox is a Northern stand up poet, writer and BBC Radio 4 regular. She’s been Poet in Residence for the Great North Run and the Glastonbury Festival and originally trained as a radio journalist, working in Yorkshire and the North East. She has toured comedy shows all over the country and now she’s coming to the town of the Crooked Spire to share her work with us.

As usual, short open mic slots (one poem each) will be available to sign up for in advance or on the night.

Our venue is a short walk from Chesterfield train station (opposite the famous spire – you can’t miss it), It’s free to get in and the bar is stocked with local ale.

We’ll finish in time for the last train back to Sheffield.

Wed 7th Olivers Bar,36 Belle Vue Terrace, WR14 4PZ Malvern, Worcestershire

You are cordially invited to ConFab Cabaret VIII with MC Dizraeli, no less! A fabulous spoken word artist, you may also have come across him in festival fields with his merry troupe of musicians The Small Gods. If you haven’t, look him/them up and either way COME TO CONFAB CABARET!

There will also be delightful entertainment from Catherine Crosswell who is very likely to sing, Amy Rainbow – Writer who isn’t, an audience poem lovingly sellotaped together by Myfanwy Fox, some tip top prizes in The Silliest Raffle, Portuguese poetry, and MORE.

Sign up on arrival if you want your own Two Minute Talent slot in Prepare to Share (poetry, music, comedy, dance, mime, whatever) and PLEASE tell your friends.

FREE entry, well stocked bar and red walls. Lovely.

Wed 7th Earlsdon Poetry Festival, Kendall’s of Earlsdon Delicatessen
54 Earlsdon Street , Earlsdon, CV5 6EJ Coventry, United Kingdom. 8pm, open mic, with Barry Patterson.

Thurs 8th sound of the 60’s Open Mic, Tipton Library, 7-9pm, £3 in advance

Thurs 8thPUREandGOODandRIGHT is an Open Mic poetry event taking place at
The Fox,32 Clarendon Ave, Leamington spa, CV32 4RZ,Every second THURSDAY of the month (except December) 7.30 p.m start
You can book an Open mic slot on the night!This month’s guest is the fantastic… Paul Canon Harris . Paul Canon Harris is a writer and poet, based in Bournemouth,who regularly performs his poetry at arts venues, festivals and special events in the UK and abroad. His first collection of poems, Best Before, was published by Creative Media Publishing in 2012.
Early this year, he enjoyed an 8 week run as a contributor on the Anneka Rice and Richard Allinson weekend shows on BBC Radio 2. Soon, Paul will be taking his People Watching People-Watching show around the UK, so catch him performing his poetry at PureandGoodandRight open mic while you can!

Admission £3 (£2 Student/OAP)

From time to time we are located upstairs, so please let us know if you require disabled access before the event.
If you would like to know more about the night email: pgrpoetry@gmail.com

Thurs 8th Cafe Ort, moseley rd, Birmingham,7pm free

Welcome to the third chapter of The Book Club, brought to you by The Blogatory and Shaki Women in the Community.

This chapter we have Womanly Words – a celebration of the works of women in poetry channelled through three incredibly talented poets and spoken word artists:

Nafeesa Hamid

Jasmine Gardosi

Phillip Simpson a.k.a U Needza Barber

We also have Open Mic slots available for those who have inspirational, wise, funny; lighthearted or emotional words about women (but you don’t have to be a woman to be an open mic-er). To claim a slot just send us an email – hello@theblogatory.com and we’ll pop you on the list.

This is a free event but still book a space with us so we have numbers via Eventbrite: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-book-club-presents-womanly-words-featuring-spoken-word-artistspoets-tickets-11414941397?aff=es2&rank=1

Poetry is an expression and a version of storytelling, stories are what define us as people as we listen and tell stories all over the world. The magic of any great story is that it is recycled and translated into every language… a bit like love. Everyone has a story, most of them are unheard, especially for women all over the world. This is a chance for everyone to come along, grab a drink, a comfy seat and just relax whilst being treated to stories translated through poetry.

Please note: This is a free event however we welcome donations for our Books for Schools Fund that provide schools around the Midlands with books about strong and influential women. In April we raised £100, so we would love to keep it up. Thank you.

Thurs 8th attila the Stcokbroker, katie Fitzgeralds,
187 Enville Sstreet, DY8 3TB Stourbridge, 7.30pm.

The Clash meets Hilaire Belloc! High energy performance poet and songwriter Attila the Stockbroker did his first gig at Bush Fair Playbarn in Harlow on 8 Sept 1980 supporting The De-Fex, The Condemmed (yes, 2 ‘m’s) and The Unborn Dead.

Since then he’s done about 3000 more in 24 countries – at venues ranging from the Glastonbury Festival (every year since 1983) and countless other music and literature festivals in the UK, Europe, America, Canada and Australia to freezing punk squats in Germany to Eton and the Oxford Union and a hotel basement in Stalinist Albania.

He’s released 7 books of poems and over 20 CDs/LPs, formerly with people like Unwins, Bloodaxe and Cherry Red Records, latterly via his own global cottage industry, Roundhead. (No cavalier attitudes!)

Utterly self-motivated. He’s sometimes on the radio. And all over the internet. He’s loud, radical, lyrical, reflective, will make you roar with laughter as well as seethe with anger and 2010 saw his 30th anniversary tour. Mellowing out? Bollocks.

Attila loves Wales, has done loads of gigs there, and was one of the first people to organise gigs in England for Welsh language punk pioneers Anhrefn and Datblygu in the mid 80s.

He has just published his 7th book of poems, ‘UK Gin Dependence Party and Other Poems’ (January 2013)

‘Whether he’s ranting a poem or bashing out a song, there is something magnificent about Attila in full flight’ (Ian McMillan, BBC Radio 4)

http://www.attilathestockbroker.com/

Thurs 8th Speakeasy, old rectifying house,

North Parade, WR1 3NN Worcester, Worcestershire 7.30pm.

In May “Worcester SpeakEasy” at:

****THE OLD RECIFYING HOUSE****

Worcester, at 7.30 pm, on Thursday, May 8th … all invited.

“Worcester SpeakEasy” is a monthly event of poetry and prose from the page and the stage (and a little music now and then), which takes place on the second Thursday of each month. The event promotes, showcases and encourages writers from the whole of Worcestershire and further afield; there is an invited headline poet each month. If you’d like to book a slot for June, please email Maggie and Fergus at speakeasy.litfest@gmail.com, or leave a message on our Facebook page.

May’s running order will soon be shown below, if you haven’t got a slot and would like to take part then four, two-minute open mic slots will be available on the night: whether you are a seasoned performer or a complete novice – we want to hear from you!

The event is brought to you by your very own Worcestershire LitFest & Fringe, via Poet Laureate Emeritus Maggie Doyle and the incorrigible Fergus McGonigal, SpeakEasy’s host and MC.

Doors open at 7:00pm for a prompt 7:30pm start; we aim to be finished by about 9.45pm.

Thurs 8th Grizzly Pear, Bristol rd, selly oak,7.30pm

Writers’ Bloc’s much-loved, raucous performance night is back. There will be open mic slots for Writers’ Bloc members and the general public, available on the door so turn up early to guarantee a slot.

We are also pleased to announce that our Grizzly Pear headliner will be the lyrical genius DIZRAELI.

Rapper, writer, poet and singer, Dizraeli is a hip hop tour de force. Taking in politics, love, rain, supermarkets, grief, drug culture and masculinity with a sense of humour and directness that can make you wince, Dizraeli is the BBC Radio 4 Poetry Slam winner, the 2006/7 Farrago UK Slam Poetry Champion. He has also authored 3 hiphop plays, one of which (The Rebel Cell, co-written with Baba Brinkman) won Spirit Of The Fringe award and rave reviews at the Edinburgh Festival, two years running.

Check him out at http://www.dizraeli.com/

Where? Bristol Pear Pub, Bristol Road, Selly Oak
When? 7:30pm (Doors open at 7pm)
Price? £3 Members £5 Non-members

sat 10th John Clare readings in Northampton,Starts at All Saints’ church at 10 am and finishes at 3.30 pm – the Church, the Museum, the Guildhall, the Library, and more. Featuring the folk group Pennyless.

Tues 13th Poetry Alight, kings head, bird st, lichfield, 7.30pm,free in open mic plus jean Atkins, Tony Stringfellow and Phil Binding

Tues 13th Mouth and Music, Boars head, kidderminster, 7.30pm

Stand-up poet, the brilliant

JONNY FLUFFYPUNK
“Acute social observation, intricate humour, surreal fantasy”

plus

FOUR TART HARMONY
Cracking 4-part womanly group with lush harmonies

MC Heather Wastie

Open mic sign-up on the night from 7.30 (5 minutes or 2 songs)

Admission £3 (free to performers)

Tues 13thCity Voices, Second Tuesday 19:30 the Lych Gate Tavern, 44 Queens Square Wolverhamtpton, it’s down the walkway by Barclays bank the leads to the Civic Centre with Simon Fletcher, set bill. £2.50 entry, featuring new work by…..Simon Fletcher!

Thur 15th Alice oswald. Birmingham uni,Arts Building (R16 on campus map) – Lecture Room 7,17:15-18:45
Creative Minds at Birmingham’, the School of EDACS Writers & Artists Distinguished Speaker Series, continues on May 15 when Alice Oswald will read from her work.

Alice’s second collection, Dart, won the T. S. Eliot Prize in 2002. Her third collection, Woods etc, was a Poetry Book Society Choice and was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best Collection and the T. S. Eliot Prize. A Sleepwalk on the Severn appeared in 2009, as did Weeds and Wild Flowers, her collaboration with the artist Jessica Greenman.

Last year Alice became the first poet to win the Warwick Prize for Writing with Memorial, a reworking of Homer’s Iliad.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet Alice during a complimentary drinks reception.

Tickets for this event are free for current University of Birmingham staff and students, £6 to the general public. Registration for this event is essential:
http://shop.bham.ac.uk/browse/extra_info.asp?compid=1&modid=2&catid=61&prodid=840

fri 16th WordLife Poetry the shakespeare 146-148 Gibraltar St, S3 8UB Sheffield

We’re back at The Shakespeare for another selection of the best in spoken word.

‘A Fantastically Entertaining Evening’ – The Yorkshire Post
‘One of the purveyors of the new literary night out’ – The Independent

The Shakespeare, 7:30pm
£5 Full/£3 Concessions

**SALENA GODDEN**

Salena Godden been described as ‘The doyenne of the spoken word scene’ (Ian McMillan, BBC Radio 3’s The Verb); ‘The Mae West madam of the salon’ (The Sunday Times) and as ‘everything the Daily Mail is terrified of’ (Kerrang! Magazine). Her most recent book of poems, Under the Pier, was published by Nasty Little Press in 2011. A new collection of poetry selected from 1994 – 2014 is out this summer with Burning Eye Books. She’s known as The General of The Book Club Boutique, London’s louchest literary salon, and as lead singer and lyricist of SaltPeter, alongside composer Peter Coyte. She appears on BBC radio as a guest on Woman’s Hour, Click, From Fact To Fiction, The Verb and as a resident poet on R4’s Saturday Live.

**GAV ROBERTS**

Gav Roberts is a force of nature, hes been performing across South Yorkshire for a couple of years but has made a huge impact, from his political pieces charting the struggle of an honest family on DSS to poems about the four sheet rizla boys you find in your kitchen after a house party. One of our favourite poets anywhere, we’re happy to bring him back for a featured slot at Word Life.

‘Impossible to dislike’ – Write Out Loud

**OPEN MIC**

This is for you, (yes you) to sign up for your own slot on the Word Life stage. Slots are limited to 5 minutes. Email wordlife@nowthenmagazine.com to book in, or post your name on the wall.

***NEXT WORD LIFE EVENT – 21st June Ft. JESS GREEN (Dear Mr.Gove Poem) and MATT ABBOTT (Skint and Demoralised) ***

Fri 16th notes from the underground, Hollybush PH, Cradley heath, 7.30pm, free in,Spoken Word & Music event featuring music from Bo Pilar and the Mountain Valley Boys and reading from “Portraits of Prose” the debut collection of stories by Andrew Owens.

Mon 19th Shindig, Western Ph, Western rd, leicester, 7.30pm, free in
Free and Open to all! Crystal Clear Creators and Nine Arches Press present Leicester Shindig! Open-Mic Poetry Evening, featuring guest poets Rennie Parker, Siobhan Logan, Emma Lee and Josh Ekroy. Sign up for open-mic slots on the door. All welcome!

Wed 21stFind the Right Words, The Cookie Jar,68 High Street, Basement, LE1 5YP Leicester,3rd wed, 7.30pm

Wed 21st unity in the community
Centre for Oneness, Great Western Street, Wednesbury, WS10 OAS, 7pm free in
Celebrating its 1st year anniversary. The theme is ‘One Love’ Singers and poets are welcome to share a song or poem to unite us all in the feeling of unity and love. FREE entry and complementary samosas.

Wed 21st ‘Funny Women’ at Bilston Library, Mount Pleasant, Bilston, Wolverhampton, WV14 7LU, 5pm. Come along and enjoy a laughter-filled poetry reading with Jane Seabourne, Emma Purshouse and Win Saha. Free event.

Thurs 22nd Drummonds,28 New Street, WR5 1BU Worcester, Worcestershire, 7pm, free in

Black Pear Press presents the launch of “Portraits of Prose” the short story collection by Andrew Owens. The event will be hosted by Polly Robinson and will include readings by Andrew and performances by special guests.

Performers include:
Tim Cranmore
Maggie Doyle
Heather Wastie
Suz Winspear
Damon Lord
Michelle Crosbie
The Humdrum Express
Catherine Crosswell

Thurs 22nd Audlem Poetry Slam,Bridge Inn
12 Shropshire St, CW3 0DX Audlem, 8pm, free in

this will be the third year that we’ve done it. The winner of the slam will get £50. The slam will take place in The Bridge Inn, Audlem on the opening night of the festival Thursday 22nd May 2014 at 8pm.

It’ll be over 3 rounds/3 minutes per round.

Tues 27th Word Wizards New venue* Buckingham Hotel, opp the Pavillion Gdns , Buxton last Tuesday Monthly 19.30. Open mic three minute slam format More info Poetryslamuk@aol.com 01298 77362/ 0781 3289358

Tues 27th Poetry Bites, Kitchen garden cafe, york rd, kings heath, 7.30pm, £5 in, open mic plus headliner with jaqui Rowe

Wed 28th Purple Penumbra,Oldbury Rep Theatre,3 Spring Walk, B69 4SP Oldbury, Sandwell, United Kingdom,Everyone and anyone is welcome to attend, 7.50pm
and bring along a relative or bring along a friend
to hear the spoken word – oft times not heard before –
regaling love and nature and sealing wax and war.

If you’ve a mind to contribute, whether wench or feller,
to sing a song with your guitar or even a cappella
or read a little tale or poems while we drink a beer,
then please come and enjoy the feast of words we love to hear.

Wed 28th 42 at Drummonds, Worcester:Gothic, Horror, Sci-fi & Fantasy event “42 Worcester” last Wednesday of the month at Drummonds, Worcester 7pm for a 7:30pm start. MC Andrew Owens.

42 Worcester, the Worcestershire gothic, horror, sci-fi and fantasy event, returns on 30th April 2014. Held at Drummonds, The Swan with Two Nicks, 28 New Street, Worcester WR1 2DP on the final Wednesday of each month, 42 Worcester starts at 19:30. You can book a slot via the Facebook page: or email Andrew at andrew@42worcester.com

Wed 28th The Poetry Train* New Venue* the Lych Gate Tavern, 44 Queens Square Wolverhamtpton, it’s down the walkway by Barclays bank the leads to the Civic Centre. at 8pm, upstairs in their function room….It’s a great little pub last Wednesday ts@tonystringfellow.com

Thurs 29th Hit the Ode, Last Thursday 19:30 The Victoria 48 John Bright Street, Birmingham B1 1BN 3 featured acts + limited open mic bohdan@applesandsnakes.org

Sun 1st june Sunday Xpress Fourth Sunday Doors 1500, Start 16:30 Adam & Eve Bradford Street, Birmingham B12 0JD Open mic
jameskennedycentral@yahoo.co.uk

Thursday 12 June, at The Old Rectifying House, North Parade, Worcester WR1 3NN when Worcestershire Poet Laureate, Tim Cranmore, is joined by Polly Robinson and friends to celebrate the launch of his new book ‘Barred’ and Polly’s pamphlet ‘Chatterton’.

Posted in Midlands Poetry What's On | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wenlock Poetry Festival 2014

Posted on April 28, 2014 by garylongden

WPF

This was my third visit to the Wenlock Poetry Festival, and for the first time I stayed overnight locally to maximise my time. As always, a diverse, eclectic programme had been laid down by organiser Antonia Beck such that many are starting to come now not for specific events, but for the festival itself, confident in the event, surely a very good sign, and with good reason. For it is the sort of festival where you can turn up on your own and bump into friends, or simply make them.

Sadly I could not come up for Friday, which ,meant that I missed Luke Wright, and a triple bill of John Hegley, Emma Purshouse and Mia Cunningham all of whom attracted glowing reports upon my arrival on Saturday. Apart from some seasonal April showers on Saturday, the weather was kind, with the Poetree making a welcome return along with a few craft stalls at the Priory Hall which acts as a focal point for proceedings; an information point, a meeting place and somewhere to grab a cup of tea and cake.

With many of the performers well known to me I made a point of exploring the “undercard” at the festival, with great rewards. The idea of Desert Island Poems is a good one. Take the “Discs” format, replace discs with poems, enlist a good interviewer and an interesting poet, and you should be on to a winner. And so we were, but by an obtuse route.

Fiona Talkington

Fiona Talkington


I had heard of Frieda Hughes, and was aware of some of her poetry, but was wholly unaware of her lineage. Wenlock Pottery was packed to overflowing for her “Desert island” experience. Compere was Fiona Talkington, urbane doyenne of the chattering classes, and a BBC stalwart. A literature graduate, and a veteran of interviewing the likes of Simon Rattle and Jon Anderson, securing her services was quite a coup.

The opening was conventional enough, but enlivened by Hughes’ witty reflections on the desert island as concept rather than actuality, in a flourish her Bedalian schooling would have been proud of. Immediately two things were apparent, her beauty ,and intelligence. She had a presence and authority which commanded by consent and compelled the audience to listen and draw closer.

Frieda Hughes

Frieda Hughes

Other castaways at the series had selected some eight poems by the great and the good, but Frieda chose to read the first one without introduction. It was a fraught, taut, exploration of someone incapacitated by illness, and was warmly received. The author? Frieda Hughes, revealed as the daughter of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes to those of us who had not quite made the connection. And instead of reading other poems, either by herself or others, that was it, instead the discussion revolved around her, her poem “How it Began” and her debilitating ME, wholly eschewing the format. To close she read… another of her own poems, Book of Mirrors.

Lesser writers may rightly have been dismissed for self –promoting narcissism. But the intelligent questioning of Talkington brought out an engaging mix of the personal and poet in a riveting half an hour. Undoubtedly a major poetic force in her own right, I hope that next time she will be offered, and take, an hour long platform, and a much larger auditorium. Her performance was my poetry highlight of the year to date. Her books sold out for signing, some took to asking her to sign ticket stubs. I am the proud owner of a signed copy of “Waxworks”, I tried to impress her with my cool demeanour, but instead gave a good impression of a teenage girl meeting Harry Styles at a One Direction book signing.

The Pottery was also the venue for an intriguing double header between last year’s WPF Slam Winner Trevor Meaney from the North West and gymnast turned poet Sally Crabtree from the South West. I like performance. Too many poets spend too little time on presentation, convinced that their words will be enough, they rarely are.

Sally Crabtree

Sally Crabtree

Sally takes this principle and squeezes it some. In bright pink hair and wig she bounces around like an amphetamine crazed jack-in-the-box, offering sharp short poetry, sometimes accompanied by a music box, sometimes by a guitar, sometimes just spoken, interspersed with humour and warmth and enlivened by a poetry bingo session ( you will have to attend one of her shows to find out more). At the end of her set we were almost as exhausted as her, and she hadn’t had a chance to perform her cartwheels and splits because the audience was too large, a nice problem to have.

Trevor Meaney contemplates going grey

Trevor Meaney contemplates going grey


Trevor Meaney was the ideal foil to Sally. Taciturn, self effacing and wry, he performed in the tradition of regional compatriots John Cooper Clarke and Ben Mellor. His poem about a vacuum cleaner , complete with sound effects, did not suck, his piece on male hair colouring did not die. The slot was his prize for winning last year’s WPF Slam and represented a big step from the quick-fire slam to Festival circuit.

The evening offered two competing events at the Edge and Priory Hall, Utter Jazz setting Auden to music and the Slam. The Slam has, to me, been the beating heart of the festival, well attended and with strong performers, so the latter won out .

I love slams and I hate them ( to paraphrase Catullus). I like the format, discipline and edge which it forces the notoriously freeform laissez-faire poetry set into, but I hate the injustices it invariably metes out. Content is unpredictable at slams, not only do the organisers not know what is going to be read out, frequently the performers have not decided until the last minute either. Often humour dominates, but tonight the nine contenders were overwhelmingly serious. Young Shropshire poet Laureate Mia Farrington bravely mixed it with the adults, but her well-crafted teenage introspection did not travel to a broader constituency. Rob Stevens delivered what I thought was the performance of the night about the miners’ strike, but it failed to resonate with a young judging panel. Local “lad” Paul Francis made the second round with his satirical contemporary poems but fell just short of the final.

Oxfordian Tina Sederholm triumphed in the finals, although her opening, and best poem, about the traumas of a newborn child being pronounced “ a poet” probably won it for her from the first round. Her sparkling fresh verse and a striking red and white dress was a winning combination. First runner up was the veteran Lorna Meehan, separated from the winners’ rostrum by a Judgement of Solomon only. Third placed David Boyles failed only by performing his least strong poem when it mattered at the end.

Slam Winner Tina Sederholm

Slam Winner Tina Sederholm

The panel comprised last years’ winner Trevor Meaney, Jacob Sam le Rose, and influential poetry editor Jane Commane, master of ceremonies was the ubiquitous Spoz. Spoz rabble roused, comforted, entertained and kept things moving, proving once again, that he is one of the best around at the role, and his poem about the perils of failing to go to the toilet before embarking on a long journey n the M5 brought the house down. Once again the Slam represented a chance for those poets who would like to embark on the festival circuit to be heard, I do hope that the festival continues to buttress the prestige of the event.

Sunday lunchtime saw the last of the Poetry and Pint events at the George & Dragon PH. It was packed, as the previous sessions had been. Expertly curated by Mark Niel , they provide an opportunity for the poetry writing attendees of the festival to air their words to a knowledgeable and sympathetic audience. No-one outstayed their welcome, everyone was listened to and appreciated. The challenge for the organisers is how to meet demand, whilst retaining the intimacy of the occasion.

Founder Anna Dreda

Founder Anna Dreda

I would have liked to have seen the Nine Arches and Silhouette Press events later on together with Simon Armitage, but alas, time was against me. And that is the joy of Poetry Festivals, too much to do in too little time, but invariably it is the unexpected which is most to be savoured. It is a delight to see founder Ann Dreda’s work paying off and being continued by Antonia Beck, organiser,as the festival gains traction on the established circuit and it starts to evolve its own identity. Further acknowledgement should go to the army of volunteers who make the event possible. See you there in 2015.

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