i'm looking for performers of their work

Andy, would it be alright for me just to get up and read selections from the discussion threads? I think this would bring just the right amount of surrealism to the event. (Plus I wouldn't have to be creative off my own back.)

Ah, an excellent idea! You could entitle it 'The Return Of A Simon'

in terms of 'experimental' i mean stuff that you wouldn't really feel comfortable with performing elsewhere in case you thought everybody would laugh at you. if you're not going to enjoy it, in some way, then don't do it. pick something that you think is the craziest thing you've attempted wordwise and then try and think what you could do with it. i'm up for accompanying in whatever format folk want. i've done stories with people having their hair cut; using childrens toy instruments; and using a drawer full of sausages. (i recommend a book called 'impro' by keith johnstone to everybody - it's about improvisation in the theatre but has a lot to say about spontaneity and creativity) i'd rather the evening was full of energetic and chaotic disasters and fools than carefully studied geniuses. it's in a bar for chrissake.

Sorry Andy, what may have seemed facetiousness was actually nerves masquerading badly as humour. What I was trying to say (and failing) was that I have never read any of my work out and it is obviously a transformation from something passive to something active. Has anyone who has done this before got any tips ?

Don't, whatever you do, get completely and utterly bladdered - see "dying in public" thread

alternatively .. get bladdered and sit at the back .. do not step on stage ...

ah ms i and cohorts you're truly most bonkers and i look forward to a fine spot of something bananas

At last I have found the person who borrowed my book, "Impro".... I lent it to an Iranian man running the Roadmender club in Northampton in the 1980's. Very pleased indeed to see that it's still in circulation and someone has read it. Well Done. It is very dodgy inviting putative poets to perform. Those who sieze the idea with gusto are the least likely to turn up at all. Good poets are often unable to read their own work properly. Very Bad Poets are usually only too willing to splurt forth every syllable of their indigestible oeuvre at the top of their hoarsest, most inarticulate shouting voice. Ask IFB. She has Experience of this.... some might say Bitter....

Andy, good luck. If I was in England it would be fun. Let us know how it turns out. Barry Wood

im always told i cant perform. sorry.

i'm game ....

Likewise, though most of my pieces are far too long. (I now have terrible vision of being onstage trying to sound like Bernard Cribbins et al reading the Hobbit on Jackanory)

How can you diss Jackanory. It was the formative programme of my childhood!

Emily - I Wasn't dissing it - though it was always very worthy (the only ones I ever really enjoyed were those ones Quentin Blake illustrated about the raven called Mortimer who croaked 'Nevermore' - hence perhaps my macaw fascination ?). Although great for encouraging children to read etc, etc, it always seemed to me to be the sort of programme adults felt was 'good' for children to watch, see also Blue Peter. (As opposed to Runaround, which was not suitable, but a good laugh) My comment was more aimed at - how do you go about reading your stories aloud, having never done it ? Is it the done thing to attempt the voices, or do you aim for lofty gravity ?

I think you ought to re-phrase that, Ivory.

hmmmm .... well it's good to see you are earning your fee ... *ponders rephrasing .....* i'm gagg .... errr ... no .... i'm up for it .... count me in mr. andy sir ... how's that???

That's fine. Invoice to follow.

in terms of reading prose ... i would pick a short one ... however good it is i think people might start looking hopefully at the bar ... mumbling into the beard isnt a good option ... lofty gravity? hahahahaha .. sounds v. radio 4 ...

I can't get out of my mind images of 'experimental writer' on stage saying the word dread one hundred and eight times followed by (in husky whisper) 'my mother's cold fingers'. Maybe I need to practice on my cats before I read any of my stuff out.