Review of Rosie Garland’s ‘As in Judy’

What makes a good review? Is it readability? Accuracy? An instinct for the telling quote? Having grappled with writing my first poetry review, all I know is that, like any other art-form, it will take years of practice to hone the skill.

But not withstanding, it was a gripping experience to read the newest poetry collection from the multi-talented and heart-warmingly modest Rose Garland.  I can only urge you to get down to your local book store and order a copy of As in Judy. It’s full of verbal spark and hard-won humanity. Or you can go direct to Manchester-based publisher Flapjack Press (www.flapjackpress.co.uk) and buy it on-line.

If you’d like a taste of ‘As in Judy, here’s the link to my write-up on Write Out Loud (another gem of the poetry world):  www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=63176

Ten Actors, Four Plays, One Director and a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

Get yourself down to the best kept theatrical secret in Manchester and enjoy four new plays at 3MT in Affleck’s Arcade, Oldham Street, M1 iJG.

Santa’s little elves have crafted a programme of four developing plays for your Yuletide enjoyment: ‘Fingers and Toes’ by Claire Booker; ‘Telescope’ by Michael Rumney; ‘Last Man in Watford’ by Claire Booker; and ‘The Fossil’ by Jennifer Banks – all directed by the highly experienced Gina T. Frost.

You’ll be amazed and delighted by some very promising acting talent, including the wonderfully named Taz Swearpants and the Rude Mechanicals.  At £3 per ticket, this has got to be one of the cheapest evenings out!

Maia Terra in ‘The Fossil’ by Jennifer Banks

The 3MT Programme goes up at 7.30pm on Thurs 12th and Fri 13th December. Come and join the actors and regulars as they delve into the weird, the wonderful and the downright desperate!

For more information about 3MT’s courses, events, productions or facility hire check their website at: http://www.threeminutetheatre.co.uk

 

A Tale of Two Cities – Loose Muse hits London and Manchester!

Loose Muse has just launched its third anthology of new writing by women, including work by Ivy Alvarez, Claire Booker, Miriam Halahmy, Sue Johns, Sarah Reilly and Janice Windle.

And only days after a lively launch party at Cotton’s in Clerkenwell, the All Woman Writers’ Night spread its wings and flew north to Manchester for the first of (hopefully) many Loose Muse events organised in that city by local poet and activist Steph Pike. Guest performers invited to Manchester included Agnes Meadows and Claire Booker.

Local poet Aryamati with Agnes Meadows at Manchester’s Loose Muse Night

Thanks to the sheer get-up-and-go savvy of Agnes and her editorial team, the Loose Muse anthology is packed with an eclectic mix of contributions from writers across the UK as well as Greece, Spain, Holland, Finland and Australia.

Celebrating her ninth year as Loose Muse co-ordinator and host, Agnes Meadows is rightly proud of the anthology: “It’s a diverse mix of high quality poetry, short stories and short plays, clearly showing that women can write with strength, passion, humour and imagination.”

Claire Booker performs ‘Last Man in Watford’ at London launch

My own contribution includes a 5 minute comedy called ‘Last Man in Watford’ set in a (dystopian?) future when women rule the world and the few remaining men are exhibited in zoos!                                     To order copies of the anthology (published by Morgan’s Eye Press) or to find out more about Loose Muse events in London or Manchester, please contact Agnes Meadows at agnespoet@gmail.com or ring her on 07789 901 667.  You can also check out the latest updates on Loose Muse by clicking the following link: http://www.loose-muse.com

Poet Angela Brodie at London launch

For more information on Lorraine Clarke whose amazing art-work features on all three Loose Muse covers, please click: http://www.clarke-art.co.uk

For information on Steph Pike and Manchester Loose Muse click: http://www.about.me/stephpike                            

Appreciative audience for Caroline Vero at London launch

Natasha Morgan reads ‘This Sharp Edge’