Krapp's Last Tape - Back to Back Beckett

David Robertson                      Photos: Richard Wilcocks

Maddie Mason writes:

As David Robertson began his second scene, taken from Krapp’s Last Tape, the audience was captivated by the introduction of surreal silence. With a lack of speech, the concentration was entirely focused on David’s performance skills.  He captured the character of Krapp as if it were his natural self: watching the beginning of the scene felt like invading someone’s ordinary routine as he appeared to mutter to himself. The effective use of dimmed lighting and the sense of intrusion provoked an intimate atmosphere between David and the audience. Though he used more props to set the scene than he did for From an Abandoned Work, the set remained minimalist which allowed the focus to be maintained upon Krapp and, of course, on the recording coming from the tape player. 

I was vaguely shocked as he started the tape recording and flung the remaining boxes off the table in surprising fury. His interesting use of vintage technology was successful and authentic. In such a small venue it was a remarkable productive feature to project the tapes. Having never seen the play performed before, it was fascinating to watch Krapp listen to tapes of his former self in order to remember and recount his life. 

Mora Grey

In the discussion afterwards, Mora Grey commented that she did not find Beckett’s work entirely depressive: David emulated this argument and told us how he had exaggerated the comedic aspects within the play, especially at the opening of the scene when he demonstrated a cyclical tableau of unlocking his drawer, eating a banana, swigging from a bottle off-stage and repeating. 

David portrayed Krapp as frustrated and slightly exasperated; it was a really interesting, captivating and effective performance and it was a real pleasure to watch.

Mark Taylor-Batty

Charlotte Gray writes:

​As someone who has studied Beckett, I can definitely sympathise with anyone who finds his plays intriguing but frustratingly dense. Back to Back Beckett offered a brilliantly acted and accessible way in to Krapp's Last Tape, which was only enhanced by the informal discussion that followed the performance. 

The panel of speakers included Mora Grey, who recently published a novel based on the experience of staging Beckett's plays, and Mark Taylor-Batty, a Theatre Studies lecturer at the University of Leeds. The varied backgrounds of the panelists allowed for rich and enlightening discussion about Beckett's life and about their personal experiences of his plays.

What I took away the most from the Q&A was a greater appreciation for the detail that goes into staging a Beckett play and the detail that Beckett himself put into his staging. The ability to see Krapp's Last Tape performed and then discuss it afterwards really helped to illuminate both the play and the gripping yet emotional effect it has on its audience. 

Kate Baldwin writes:

Dave Robertson’s performance of Beckett’s From an Abandoned Work was wonderfully dynamic. With no props or set, he managed to convey the turmoil the narrator was going through with brilliant phrasing and animation. The audience seemed to hang on his every word, kept on tenterhooks by the constantly  changing pace, a perfect reflection of the constantly changing mood of the narrator. 

From a hurried rant about birds and butterflies “getting in [his] way”, to a leisurely appreciation of the flora, my attention was continually in David’s grasp: a testament to both Beckett’s talented writing and David's enthralling performance. Even more impressive since I had not yet had my interval cup of tea to perk me up! Not having studied Beckett in depth myself, I found this interpretation a good initiation into the playwright’s work, one that has inspired me to delve further. 

Audience comments:

David at his best. Krapp’s Last Tape mesmerizing. Enjoyed part 1 – amazed that it had been abandoned.

Beautifully performed – thought provoking, life changing! Really enjoyed this event.

Compelling and sensitive performance of unusual and thought provoking material. Thank you David – hope you don’t get indigestion from that banana!

Thrilling introduction to Beckett with wonderful insights.  

Wonderful performance by David, not least his mastery of the tape recorder. Interesting panel discussion and insight into Beckett. Not the most popular of playlets but full of imagery and emotion.

Intense format/performance. Enjoyed the small/intimate/informal setting.

Moving and stimulating excellent performance – most enjoyable.  

Very interesting to see an ‘unknown’ Beckett. Good performance. Krapp’s Last Tape – good to see this extraordinary play. Very good event.

Excellent reading in first half – delightful to hear such a vivid piece, completely unknown. Krapp’s Last Tape beautifully performed.

Very successful production. Very authentic, Dave. With plenty of cause for thought and awareness of time passing moving to present – and then beyond – the human condition – I could see it again.

A wonderful enigmatic performance and wouldn’t really have made as much sense without the discussion and being enlightened about the life of Beckett by Mora Grey.

David Robertson gave good value in the reading from Beckett’s prose piece (rarely performed) and acting Krapp’s last Tape affectingly before a good audience.  

Lovely performances! Thank you for putting this on – first time attending, will be back. Cheers.

First time seeing any performance of works by Beckett. Excellent performance! Of both sections! More likely to go to other LitFest activities because of coming. Thanks!

Very clearly performed – completely absorbing – I felt, as ever with such plays and readings, that it is vital to life – venue good too – cakes Delicious

Not knowing Beckett’s work, I found the discussion thought-provoking ensuring that I reflected back to the performance. In some ways I would have liked to see the play again for I’m sure I would have seen it through new eyes.

Bravo David! The first piece a revelation.

Very engaging, great performances.

Was this actually an abandoned work? That’ll take the shine off their bliss.

Really good acting and a great choice of play. Thank you very much. Great cake also.

Excellent performance – highly enjoyable!

Despite an excellent and heartfelt performance I felt this rendition of SB’s work cured me of ever wanting to hear anything from SB. I felt that a very good performer was struggling with tedious and pretentious verbiage. I’m afraid that this work was unfinished because if it was finished it would ???? The tea and cake was some consolation but afterwards I escaped to the Oxfam bookshop  … to recover.

Red Ladder's musical evening - with Boff Whalley

Red Ladder Theatre Company              Photo: Richard Wilcocks

Laurah Furner writes:
The New Headingley Club played host to a fantastic evening of music performance by Red Ladder Theatre Company last night.  Victoria Brazier, Claire Marie Seddon and Stacey Sampson, with musical direction by Becky Owen, created a vibrant and comfortable atmosphere for the audience, in an intimate and emotionally charged performance of their production, ‘We’re Not Going Back’. The night was packed with flawless harmonies, combined at frequent intervals with brilliant anecdotes on the creative process by the writer of the show, Boff Whalley. 

No costumes were required for this group to create a stunning performance that celebrates the journeys to self-empowerment produced through the 1984/5 miner’s strike with which the play was concerned. Whalley discussed in depth the authenticity which the production aims to exude, and it was certainly this aspect which seemed to touch the hearts of audience members. Highlights included the song ‘This Was War’, and the funeral scene, which achieved an emotional intimacy that had the woman sitting next to me in tears. Whalley observed that ‘It’s not the play, it’s the conversation afterwards that matter’, and it’s this hope to truthfully depict the social upheaval caused by the miner’s strike whilst engaging with the strength of community that left me feeling both humbled and uplifted as I left.

Headingley LitFest is very grateful for the support from Leeds University student volunteers Laura Cummins, Laurah Furner and Serene Leong.

Audience Feedback:

Good to see the spirit of radical theatre is still alive.  Thanks. Great show, lovely actors.     (Tom Burden)

Wonderfully creative and authentic way of bringing real people’s experiences and emotions alive.  Lovely harmony and a nice punchy folk song at the end.     Anon

Marvellous emotive music without being depressing.     Anon

It was very informative and enjoyable.     Anon

Very enjoyable.  Fantastic harmonies and an obvioius passion for the subject.  (Adam Savage)

Wonderfully nuanced way to hear a  story we think we know already.   (Laura Cummins)

Really enjoyed the songs and explanation of the play, having sadly not seen it.  I was born during the Miners’ Strike and have a scar on my neck where a piece of coal spat out of the fire and attached itself to me as I sat in my baby bouncer in our house in Huddersfield (Shepley).  Very moving and enthusiastic cast, hope your funding continues.  (Erica Mitchell)

I’ve waited thirty one years for some humour on the Miners’ Strike.  It’s about time  (DS)

Very good, nice songs and harmonies.  (Angela M)

Yet again Red Ladder produce an authentic beautifully produced interpretation well researched.  Lovely harmonies.   (Richard Howson)

I enjoyed the ‘introduction’ to the play and its songs, interesting to hear how it came together.  Would now love to see the whole thing - which I hope will be round soon!   (Paul Connor)

Wonderfully structured, highly accessible performance, emotionally charged atmosphere of positivity and realism, committed to a truthful depiction of the 1984/5 miners’ strike.   (Laurah Furner)

A very moving and insightful performance.  Touching, funny and informative.  Made me want to see the whole play!  It brought out the human cast and the sometimes unexpected transformations of individuals.  Red Ladder know how to put across an historical political and human condition very effectively.  The company should be supported.  (Marion Purchon)

Warm, witty and thought-provoking.  An education for this southerner.   (Helen Ashman)

A real eye opener and very interesting to learn some local history as a student not from the area.  Thank you!   (Stella Spriggs)

Very good introduction and show by the Red Ladder Theatre company, particularly the songs.  I visited the National Mining Museum near Wakefield a few weeks ago which was very interesting. Nice form by the group afterwards as well.   (Jonathan Fetson)

It was a privilege to see Red Ladder describe the process of their drama and to see them perform and explain the play and the politics.  Brilliant!  (Maggie Burden)

Enjoyed the songs but could do without the rambling commentary.   (Martin)

Extremely engaging.  Moving too.  (Duncan)

Children's Books Question Time

Richard Wilcocks writes:

Zoe, Nicolette Jones, Lucy               Photo: Richard Wilcocks

It was a real pleasure to listen to the breathtakingly fluent and encyclopedic Nicolette Jones this afternoon. A national authority, she knows what she is talking about more than most. It was her second time as a guest of ours: seven years ago she spoke to a LitFest audience about her extensively researched book The Plimsoll Sensation, and made us aware of the nineteenth century campaign led by the MP Samuel Plimsoll against overloaded 'coffin' ships. This time she made us aware of the great wealth of new books written for children, and advised us on making best use of it.

She became a reviewer of books for children on the Sunday Times almost by default: it was decided by the arts editor that a new angle was needed, and she was drafted in, moving on from her position as a respected reviewer of new books for adults. She reminded us towards the beginning of her session of what W H Auden said:

There are good books which are only for adults.
There are no good books which are only for children.

 She is still proving that what he said was absolutely right, which she made clear by making so many enthusiastic recommendations that audience pens and pencils were seldom at rest.
There were all sorts of questions, from the general ("Do you find that today's children are less interested in books than we were?") to the specific ("What books do you suggest for a boy with Nigerian parents who is mad keen on sports and is more interested in computer games than books?") and all of them were answered in great detail, to the full satisfaction of the questioners. Prominent amongst her favoured authors were Shirley Hughes, Eva Ibbotson and Philip Pullman. To chime with the theme of the LitFest, she finished with a reading from Something Else by Kathryn Cave, to our delight.

Mary Francis adds:
Nicolette talked about Northern Lights, the first volume in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. Apparently, it is now twenty years old: there is a piece in the Guardian (see link) and an opportunity to win a twentieth anniversary edition of the trilogy … as long as you are aged between seven and eighteen. Or if you enter on behalf of a child ….
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/mar/09/philip-pullman-10-magical-quotes-his-dark-materials-anniversary

Audience Feedback:
 I liked it when Nicolette Jones read a book out loud called Something Else and she helped us with books for recommendation. I enjoyed it thoroughly. (Girl aged 9)

First-class presentation and responses from Nicolette Jones. A good range of queries answered with a wealth of intimate knowledge. A very fluent and eloquent performance, obviously popular with a good audience.

Excellent! - and great cake! 

I’m not a mum or involved with many children but found the presentation v. interesting.  I could relate to my own experiences as a child.       

Absolutely excellent!  Nicky gave lots of valuable tips and information.  A fantastic and articulate speaker.  Thankyou!   

Very well informed and encouraging – infectious enthusiasm.  Fun!      

A most interesting and informative session – I learned a great deal.  What a world of information Nicolette Jones brought before us!  Good presentation too.    

Very informative. Wonderful to have such an authority on Children’s Books in the room.  For a first time self publisher her insights were very valuable.    

Very informative and clear presentation.  I could have spent more time listening to Nicolette and look forward to her return.  Many thanks.     

 

Great event!  Lots of info! V. interesting.  Loved the book reading – more of that would keep children interested?  Shame more children didn’t attend.     

Lovely chat, good ideas, nice to have café seating and refreshments.  More please.  

 

A delightful informative discussion on contemporary children’s lit.  Full of charm and relevant information and useful tips.     

Brilliant!  Thank you.  Useful, entertaining, educative... tea and cake appreciated.

Event was very informative.  Ms Jones was charming, engaging and very helpful. 

Very enjoyable – thank you!  Glad I took notes of most of the titles to check out later. Not enough time for questions.      

Charming speaker, very informative, lots of good suggestions.    

An excellent event, very informative, with some interesting questions and answers fromn Nicolette (although couldn’t hear clearly everything she was saying).  Good venue, lovely cake.   

Made me realise how old my children are – good to hear about contemporary writers. 

Absolutely terrific!  Nicolette Jones was so knowledgeable and informative.  Clear concise and so so useful.  I liked the Q&A format.  V. entertaining, and well worth repeating.   

The Dragon Who Hates Poetry

Dominic Berry with poetry lovers  Photo: Carol Downing

Carol Downing writes:
‘Tremble at my name says the fiend of fire and flame.’

The story of the dragon who hates poetry by Dominic Berry was a lively and energetic performance in the Meanwood Institute, full of energy, jokes and action, with plenty of audience participation, including the audience helping to write a poem about the dragon to make him look good.

Rhyming Rick, the hero, sets out to convince the poetry-hating dragon, who is terrifying the land, that poetry is really cool.  The dragon, however, flies up above Rick’s head and burns all the clothes on Rick’s washing line.  He then threatens to eat him alive!  Rick is so scared he asks the dragon to be kind and not to eat him.  Suzy Sue, a Farmer, suggests writing a poem about all the fantastic things a dragon can do to make him look good.  Rick is not sure but everyone in the village persuades Rick to do this. So with help from the audience -

‘Dragons are fantastic

Dragons are great

I’d love a Dragon

As my mate’.

In the end Rick manages to win the dragon over, and he and the dragon become best friends, writing poems together, and even winning poetry competitions!

'Threshold' at Café Lento

Laura Cummins writes:

Peter Spafford and Richard Ormrod               Photo: Richard Wilcocks

The cosy and atmospheric Café Lento played host to the eclectic ‘Threshold’ last night, put on by the multi-talented Peter Spafford and Richard Ormrod. There was a perfectly-blended mixture of spoken word, beautiful music, and surrealism on offer, all fitted around the theme of hospitality and our shared experiences of the kindness of particular strangers. Highlights included modern re-imaginings of everything from Schubert’s Winterreise to sixteenth-century Chinese poetry, and an exploration of the possible outcries of Chagall’s mother. A fantastically funny evening - so much so the woman next to me spat out her wine at one point - with some beautiful musical moments.

Richard Wilcocks adds:
One of the many things which sticks in my mind from last night is Peter Spafford's very personal, almost confessorial storytelling, backed by notes and chords from the extraordinary Richard Ormrod, for example the one about when he was offered a bed for the night by strangers when he was stuck with his car in impassable snow.

Audience feedback:

Excellent. Really good mix of music and words - old and new. Warm, friendly atmosphere. (James Fernie)

Excellent and intriguing mix of beautifully delivered entertainment. Thought provoking and delightful at the same time. (Marion Purchon)

Brilliant evening! Wunderschönes Abend mit sehr interessantem Publikum und außergewöhnlichen Interpreten, die mit ihrer Liebe zur Musik und Literatur die Menschen in ihre Welt holen...  (Lisa)

Eclectic - harmonied genres/range of instruments. I love the material. Brilliant, as ever. (Murray)

Two talented, creative and imaginative artists... enjoyable and challenging. (Gail McIntyre)

Nice comfortable relaxing evening, good company, atmosphere. Lovely to listen to very creative talented musicians who are very humble and hospitable! (Maria)

Enjoyable and wonderful to hear original work. (Ruth Wynne)

A marvellous evening's entertainment. Excellent music and a great atmosphere. (Bill Fitzsimmons)

Brilliant atmosphere and mix of people. Great format for the event. More please. (Dick Downing)

Lovely atmosphere - intimate setting made it a very friendly audience. Storytelling was wonderful. (Laura)

Interesting mixture of sources and ideas, and an impressive array of instruments played. Made me both want to go travelling and to come home - and to offer hospitality to strangers. (Nicolette Jones)

Enjoyed the music as well as the stories. (Gaby Jones)

Unusual, tuneful, thought-provoking, funny... great storytelling through both media, words and music. (Jane Oakshott)

Lettice Cooper's Leeds novels

Kate Baldwin writes

Janet Douglas   Photo: Kate Baldwin

Janet Douglas thoroughly engaged the audience last night at Headingley Library with her talk on Lettice Cooper, a rather forgotten name of the twentieth century. Tales of her upbringing, her activities throughout her life and even her friendship with Orwell’s wife really painted a wonderful picture of a dynamic woman with a keen interest in society (as well as a particularly keen interest in men, infer from that what you will!), an interest very much apparent in her novels. 

After regaling us with such tales as her writing reviews for the Yorkshire Post for thirty years, Janet then went on to discuss Lettice’s (we decided we felt familiar enough to call her Lettice) novels, in particular National Provincial and The New House: the only one still in print.

Through Janet’s brilliant summaries of the plots, tactfully avoiding spoilers, we discovered the charm of Lettice Cooper’s writing, especially for those living in Leeds. Although not born in the glorious city, she was brought up there and it had a special place in her heart featuring in many of her novels, not so inconspicuously with the pseudonym ‘Aire’. For a Leeds native, part of the joy of reading National Provincial would be to recognise the familiar streets and areas, all ‘disguised’ with aliases, and to imagine very clearly the backdrop for the story. Another interesting point Janet focused on was the historical accuracy of Lettice’s writing, with her stories reflecting real events such as a strike at Burton’s factory in the sixties.

The link with Leeds was enjoyed by everyone in the audience and sparked conversation in the question and answer section, with people chipping in with their own stories and comments, creating a lovely atmosphere full of communal love for a city inspired by the words of Lettice Cooper (via the brilliant Janet Douglas) and possibly the free wine! All in all, a wonderful evening.           

Some audience feedback:

Janet Douglas – lovely, entertaining speaker. Loves her subject. Really interesting. Thank you. L

 Really very interesting to hear the life and times of Leeds. I must read the books. Lovely presentation, Janet. M

Very accomplished introduction to Lettice Cooper and has inspired me to read more of her works – particularly National Provincial. Her contribution to Leeds needs to be more recognised – perhaps R

It’s interesting to learn about a writer from your own locality. I will possibly try reading her novels. T

Interesting, relevant, lively. J

Very interesting. I enjoyed it very much. K

Irish Day on Sunday

Laugh! Sunday is Irish Day at New Headingley Club - mentioned here - http://leeds-list.com/out-and-about/whats-on-this-weekend-in-leeds … …

There's a kind of comedy about Samuel Beckett too. It might surprise you. Don't miss the brilliant Dave Robertson in Krapp's Last Tape.

'The Battle of Atwa' by Lemn Sissay

Hear this poem performed by ‪#‎LemnSissay‬ on the anniversary of the crucial Battle of ‪#‎Atwa‬  Have you booked tickets for him yet on Friday 20 March?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL9pN3DCrbU

Their imaginations are Something Else

Sheila Chapman writes:

Poet James Nash with teachers Adrienne Amos and Gemma Midwood

The Year 6 children at Ireland Wood Primary School wrote poems full of passion and imagination about their families, feelings, laughter and love.

They wrote with real skill and read their poems clearly and confidently. As one parent said they found the experience uplifting and emotional and another thought the poetry was emotionally deep and creative.

Here are a few snippets -

Memories meander back to me

From poems about mothers

...like beautiful sunshine

...like a diamond in my heart

...feels like a teddy bear you wish you could keep forever

... like a soft cuddly cushion

From poems about the world and life

... life is my pulse ticking like a clock

.. the earth smells like fresh vanilla ice cream

... the smell of factories and maybe the taste of smoke

From poems about families

... my family is an art gallery

... like birds chirping love

... blasting out with laughter in front of the tele

... like a jigsaw puzzle

... endless trust

... my pumping heart, a robin singing the whole time

From poems about love, feelings and laughter

... like warm powerful music

... like an orchestra playing different tunes

... like the sounds of the xylophone

... like the bursting sweet sensation of fruit

Gemma Midwood the English Leader in the school said

Great to hear and see the children share their writing with confidence and pride. They have obviously been inspired by James, consequently writing emotively and with enthusiasm.

Adrienne Amos the form teacher said

Again, an amazing experience for our children. I have seen their poems develop from good poems to fantastic poems. Such a treat!

Thanks, Christina at Leeds List!

Thanks for your preview, Christina at Leeds List! You're welcome to eat with us on 9 March - Dinner with the Decameron. There's a meal with a Florentine touch, and a couple of saucy Boccaccio stories! 

Don't forget to book in advance for this - 0113 275 5017

http://bit.ly/1FOaJE3 - CLICK to find out.

'We're Not Going Back' - Red Ladder

The brochure is now ready! Email here if you want some to distribute for us.

One or two of you might just have a pdf version sent in the last few days which needs a slight amendment. We've now put that right. Red Ladder's show on Saturday 7 March is actually NOT free - it is six pounds to get in. Here is the programme entry:

We're Not Going Back

A musical evening with Red Ladder Theatre Company

This touring play by Red Ladder commemorates the thirtieth anniversary of the 1984/5 miners’ strike from the vantage point of a well-worn settee in a South Yorkshire pit village home. The play’s cast, writer and musicians gather to perform extracts, sing songs and discuss the impact of the strike, the play and its audiences up and down the country.

8pm New Headingley Club, St Michael’s Road £6

Listen to Lemn's poem

Here's a taster for Friday 20 March -

fb.me/71VCdYL2D 

What a line-up!

Jo Shapcott, Red Ladder, Dommy B, Jasper Fforde, Nicolette Jones, the cream of Yorkshire crime writers, Peter Spafford, Richard Ormrod, Juliet Barker, Trio Literati... but why name-drop when you can easily get a good idea of everything that is going to take place by clicking here. Currently, there are still a few small updates, but most things are in place. You can start pencilling messages for yourself into your diary.

We're working on the brochure at the moment: it will be as beautifully comprehensive as ever. 

Lemn Sissay is coming to Headingley

Lemn Sissay        Photo: James Ross

Lemn Sissay MBE is now definitely booked for the next LitFest!

He'll be appearing at Leeds City Academy on Friday 20 March in the evening (you are all invited!) and will also speak at a masterclass for school students at Lawnswood on the same day.

Here is a selection of facts:

He is the author of several books of poetry alongside articles, records, public art and plays.

He was an official poet for the London Olympics.

His Landmark Poems are installed throughout Manchester and London, in venues such as The Royal Festival Hall and The Olympic Park.

He is associate artist at Southbank Centre, patron of The Letterbox CLub and The Reader Organisation and inaugural trustee of World Book Night.

Write this into your new diary now! Tickets available nearer the date.

More on Lemn in the coming weeks!

'Own Your Words' at Ralph Thoresby School

Sally Bavage writes:
Two dynamic teachers at Ralph Thoresby School, Kate Wolstenholme and Tom Stubbs, have got a great group of young people together in a poetry club they named Own Your Words. This started earlier this year and is growing week by week.  They are working towards a poetry slam on 2 April at the end of the main programme of LitFest 2015: Something Else.

Kate said, “Several of the group took part in the Ilkley Literature Festival this year, performing at Otley Courthouse alongside pupils from Leeds Grammar School, Fulneck and Gateways. The group all started off feeling uncomfortable on stage; it's so brilliant to see those same pupils transformed into seasoned performers who own the stage and their words!”

Kate has now secured support for Own Your Words to go on a week-long residential course for young writers run by the Arvon Foundation. Guests include Tiffany Murray and Marcus Sedgwick, both established authors of children’s fiction.

Thanks to a grant from the Outer North West Activities Fund, negotiated as part of the Headingley LitFest community programme of work with at least eight local schools, next term there will also be poetry performance coaching available on alternative Thursdays from 3.05 to 4.30 pm.  Established local poet performers like Michelle Scally Clarke will work with young people in the area who wish to come along and explore techniques for releasing their inner poet, using Ralph Thoresby as a hub venue.

One of the original members of Own Your Words, Nida Naqvi, is now in year 11 and helps run the class as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award.  “I am very grateful for the opportunity to write poetry; it stimulates my creative mind and helps you grow as a person,” she said. She is a member of Leeds Young Authors (http://www.leedsyoungauthors.org.uk/about.html) and a fantastic role model for other young people who now “have gained so much self-knowledge and self-confidence they even volunteer to speak in assemblies.”   Emma Blane agreed, adding that the poetry sessions  “Are really fun, it gets your imagination going.”

.

'I, Robot' - James Nash at Spring Bank

Sally Bavage writes
'I Robot' at Spring Bank. Apologies to Isaac Asimov. 
Wednesday 3^r December, and the assembly hall has thirty visitors and parents waiting with happy anticipation for the latest in Headingley LitFest’s poetry assemblies tutored and coached by James Nash, local writer and poet.   “Child:  We’ve got someone really important in the class today.  Daddy: Who? The Prime Minister?  An Olympic gold medallist?  Child: No, A Writer.  A Real Writer!”

James Nash with Luke Wrankmore                 Photo: Sally Bavage

Once again, James had worked with all of Year 4 on their ideas, initiated by their science work on circuits and switches, but taken to whole new levels by their originality and perceptive writing.  James: “Think writing.  Find inspiration.”  They did, in spades.  A robot is certainly Something Else in their world, and words, shared in front of the whole school.

“I dream of finding another robot to play with”

“I am building my replacement”

“I nip someone’s finger as an alarm clock”

“I am a very lonely robot, I don’t have a friend to play with but I’m not a bad robot”

“My magic single eye can give you a shock”

“I try to fit into your family but I don’t have any feelings or emotions”

and

“I am made of enchantment.”

Indeed.

Class teacher Luke Wrankmore said, “James works so successfully to bring out the creative talent in all our children.”  A sentiment echoed by the deputy headteacher Amy Houldsworth, who added how delightful it was to “See the whole class very much inspired.”  

For one girl, the best bit was “Reading my poem out,” and her parent wrote that she “was inspired to write independently at home – this is a first!  Thank you.”

The many parents there were fulsome in their praise for the way the work had developed both writing skills and confidence:  “..he [James] has been inspiring and leading the class for weeks.  It seems to me that with his additional leadership all the students have been particularly engaged in the process, where normally perhaps the ones with stronger literary skills might engage with activities like this more than some others.  Our daughter benefited and loved it, and so did we.”

From so many other expressions of enjoyment, perhaps this parent’s words stand as a testament to the value of what James produces: “One of the best assemblies I’ve seen at this school.  The children’s poetry was fantastic.  I hope they get to do more.”

And the last word goes to the children themselves.  Question:  What have you learned in this project?  “Poems are brilliant!”  “It increases your confidence.”  “Sharing others’ poems is fun.”  “So you can inspire people with your work.”  “You grow your confidence.”

Metamorphosis at Weetwood Primary

James Nash with Josh Annis-Brown    Photo: Sally Bavage

Sally Bavage writes:

Year 5 were once again thrilled to be able to work with James Nash, as part of the Headingley LitFest community programme of work with schools, and read out their poems on Something Else to a packed assembly of classmates, Stage 2 peers, teachers and a throng of parents. 

“An amazing opportunity to read out their poems and write about their feelings,” said Josh Annis-Brown, classteacher.  

James has done “A fantastic job,” said headteacher Tarsem Wyatt and cheers rippled round the audience. The youngsters wrote from a caterpillar’s perspective about metamorphosing into something else, producing some prosaic truths and some delightful lines of poetry. 

Think back to when you were nine years old and trying to hold a microphone at the correct distance to pick up your words as well as your carefully crafted poem on a sheet of paper.  It takes the mastery needed for an adult to drink and eat at a buffet.  But mastery was indeed on show and delight and pride too in the performances.

“I have learnt how epic James is!” and “The awesome James Nash “ whilst “Poetry can be fun and if you work hard you can do anything,”  “Being and working with James” and “I have met, wrote and spoken to a famous poet” were two more of many highly positive opinions that class 5 offered. “You build up confidence in yourself,” and “The best thing is sharing my poem with my classmates and hearing their poems.”  Out of the mouths of …

Not just the babes but parents are equally supportive:

“An excellent opportunity to hear the work of a group of pupils.  The pupils have obviously been inspired and produced some beautiful pieces of work.”

“Great to see the children perform their poetry as well as having an insight into what they have been doing in school. I know from my son that having a ‘real life’ poet has inspired him and encouraged his own writing. Fabulous, thank you.”

Sekabo – Utopia on t’Moors?

Sally Bavage writes:

Photo courtesy Shanghai Daily

Richard Woolley was founding Head of the Northern School of Film and Television at Leeds Metropolitan University (now Leeds Beckett University) as well as founding Dean of Film and TV at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, all part of an illustrious CV. You could describe him as a musician and composer.  Or filmmaker.  Or scriptwriter.  Morphing into a serious novelist.  

Speaking at a LitFest 'Between the Lines' event in the intimate surroundings of the Heart centre's café yesterday evening, he told his audience that he was first set thinking about the premise for this novel after watching Chris Patten in tears on the eve of the handover of Hong Kong, a place where the British tried out political, social and economic experiments which disturbed the watching Chinese.  And still disturb the present Hong Kong youth.

This imaginative teller of tales has written his third novel, Sekabo, strongly influenced by close to two decades living in Leeds and a decade living in Hong Kong.  It has two time frames – 1990 and 2097 – and two key locations – England and Sekabo.  It has two parallel plots that gradually interweave in sometimes expected, sometimes surprising ways, leaving you uncertain as to your powers of prediction.  Plots and sub-plots abound in a tale that is as much about entertaining contexts as it is about the fates of our heroine and hero.

Cover graphics designed by Daniel Reeve

The book is a lively “mix of research, imagination and personal experience”, clearly written by a writer employing strong visual imagery; it intercuts the plotting to maintain the suspense with the immersion in another timeframe.  Vonnegut undertones and many subliminal sci-fi references fuse into a book that really is Something Else. 

Be prepared to be surprised, drawn in, perhaps slightly shocked - there are a few raunchy episodes.  Most of all, enjoy the many references to local places around the North Yorkshire Moors.  You have probably walked there.  Prescient comparisons - political, social and technical - are referenced more obliquely but give many pauses for wry thought.  Utopia on t’Moors? 

And the denouement?  Ah, you’ll have to buy the book - or download it to an early prototype reading device that by 2097 will be viewed as a museum piece. 

Read this piece in The Shanghai Daily:

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sunday/book/Richard-Woolley-Future-UK-intrigue/shdaily.shtml

SEKABO

Sekabo is the third novel by Richard, who as as well a novelist is a successful screenplay writer and film director. He was the founding Head of the Northern School of Film and Television at Leeds Metropolitan University (now Leeds Beckett University) and is a former Director of the Dutch Film Academy, founding Dean of Film and TV at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, inaugural holder of the Greg Dyke Chair of Film and Television at the University of York and, most recently, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Performance, Media and English at Birmingham City University. 



The café will be open especially for this free event, which is presented as part of the Between the Lines programme of Headingley LitFest. 

Mimika - completely enchanting

Small Worlds - Saturday 1 November - Mimika

(A LITFEST 'BETWEEN THE LINES' EVENT)

Gail Alvarez writes:

Waiting to be invited into the tent

Picking apples from an unsteady ladder,and the broken ankle that followed, did not stop Jenny, one half of Mimika children’s theatre, from working with partner Bill in four sell-out performances at the Heart centre in Headingley. Thanks go to her sister Sheila for helping out and ensuring the show must – and did – go on. Fortunately, Jenny's part in the production involved mainly crawling about, out of sight, on the floor of a large, custom-made, igloo-shaped tent.

Not long before the beginning

Old and young alike packed each show, which held audiences spellbound.  I half expected to see some of the adults sucking their thumbs too, so intent were they on the small world created inside the intimate and cosy world of the tent. Utterly absorbed by the unfolding drama, eyes wide, mouths agape.  The children in the audience too!  Lovely to hear  those children giggle in delight and stare in concern at a form of entertainment which was born thousands of years ago but which is still such a good medium for sparking imaginations.

No wonder that Mimika provide such a gentle but profound experience, taking us all to a (small) world we can see, hear, imagine, describe and talk about in our mind’s eyes and our internal conversations.  Film clips, hundreds of sound effects, music geared to the action, puppets and props create a microcosm of rural life for a small living things. The creatures get larger as the show develops. There are butterflies of various hues, a pink-spotted bug, honking geese (soprano and bass), a mother fox slinking through the woods and looking after cubs in the sett, a green lizard which is squashed by a child's bicycle before it can snap up flying insects, a girl straight out of a six year-old's drawing - for forty-five minutes the audience was captivated.  

Owls are always welcome

What ideas have been planted in our observers by these tiny tales?  Time will tell but storytelling always starts in the mind’s eye.

Audience comments include:

Mesmerising!  The detail is wonderful. Thank you for coming to Heart.  Please come again.  Everyone should see this.  Julia.

So wonderful to see handcrafted settings and such a different, unusual mixture of media.  Captivating!  Loved the foxes and bugs particularly! Music was beautiful too.  Would definitely come again! Luisa

Beautiful, engaging, very magical for the kids.  Would love to see more. Liz

A magical experience – I emerged bemused, enraptured – full of questions!  Thank you.  Lis

It was absolutely beautiful.  Magical.  I was almost crying which is unusual for me!  Thank you!  Lucy

Truly enchanting and I could not help but wonder at the huge amount of time and energy involved in the making and production of the performance - the art work, model making and the combination of digital film and immersive sound was inspired. The audience - young and old were truly engaged and spellbound. Douglas

Bill Parkinson and Jenny Ward                                Photo: Richard Wilcocks