Progress report. Wednesday evening – My First Time

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Style 5     Content 3

So this is the try-out in front of the Shunt-punters. Proof-of-concept night.

Technically speaking, I should elaborate. I’m wearing a wireless head-mic, allowing me to lean at the bar and ask customers intimately whether they’d like a line. Intimately voiced, but amplified through the club’s speakers. Then I unfurl a little white paper wrap and read a line to them. Geddit? 

This works well in crowded spots, but Shunt isn’t busy tonight and I feel I’m projecting desperation as I approach people who feel like they’re backing away from me before I’ve even got my gear out. Ah, the dealer’s lot…

Also, I got so excited about making up little ‘raps’ that I nearly forgot to write anything good in them.

 I started off with my thoughts on opening gambits you might hear or attempt in a club – in particular, the ones you should avoid, such as:

 “I don’t think paedophilia’s as bad as it’s painted, do you?” (haven’t had the guts to repeat that one out loud yet).

 Or mock-announcements like:

 “Can I have your attention please? Mine’s run out.”

 Also

 “We’ve had some baggage handed in at the cloakroom. Has anyone lost their inhibitions?”

 I try out other, longer, more ‘poetical’ ones and they seem to work OK too, but it feels like  hard going. But I think we Shunt Poets all feel like that. And that’s the point, isn’t it?

 (for more Lines, look out for a future blog post)

Throughout tonight’s show, I am feeling huge commonalities about racking out cheap little lines, the effects of which fade after a few minutes. Also I’m speaking a lot faster than I should be. About not very much.

Director Hannah Ringham reminds me to slow down and speak clearly. Her direction this week has been helpful, supportive and clear to all of us, spotting strengths and elaborating on them, whilst knowing which creative sidings to avoid.

PS: I felt deliciously naughty travelling through London after with a purseful of paper wraps, mind.

tagged under: Hannah Ringham.Mama Tokus.Shunt