myspace hit counters

 

 

 

Tue 5th Jul 2016 

JUNE WRITE ANGLE – GUEST PERFORMER HANNAH CHUTZPUH SHOWS SHE'S GOT WHAT IT TAKES!

With little sun in the month of June, Write Angle's gig brought warmth through the wit and wisdom of Hannah Chutzpuh to an appreciative and enthusiastic audience. 'By now, you know I'm not straight', she said confidently! The open mikers, as usual, presented an eclectic assortment of poetry. There were lots of new faces as well!

Hannah's poetry is strong and geared to making people feel good about themselves. Her poem about Jo always having to 'ask' for permission, 'could I have some of that, please' while a crowd of friends share without asking, tempted her to want to say 'no'. The audience laughed (but how many share Jo's lack of entitlement). Hannah's theatrical style and 'straight talk lend themselves well to her poetry. – She spoke of relationships ending. 'The house is divided wih masking tape marking the boundaries not to be crossed. ('I don't have the strength. I am plastic safety scissors when I want to be a sword'). I'm being 'reasonable' she said, however if he crossed, she'd kill him. The cat could cross them of course.

Having worked in a refuge for victims of DV, she read of abuse - the majority who go back to the mates in spite of the damage done. She spoke of the dangers of meeting on Facebook. How the first date was so good, they were already planning a second and third, but her fear of strangers, led her friend to check him out. He used different names. She realised she got 'close' - but escaped in time'. 'An abuser is a heat seeking missile'. She spoke of how she tends to pick wisely but realised she'd made mistakes and was starting to notice there was a pattern. She saw the difference between starting to trip, and falling. She spoke of London once being safe but now, with a killing a day, it could be anyone. Getting hurt, learning to protect yourself – once, we could be tall as redwoods. Now, to survive, we're tumbleweeds. We've grown callouses where others have grown roots'.

Pride (and a bit of jealousy) was evident as Hannah spoke of her 60 year old mother who decided 'I don't have to be here anymore'; she bought an Ipad, and now is part of musical bands, has two charity jobs. She's paid off the mortgage, goes to museums and galleries. Meantime, Hannah spoke of working in Job Centre. How to survive 'if you're middle class and bolshy; 'Act as if 'your career got a flat tire and this is the garage' – and 'everyone is behind glass'. Funniest poem was 'Necrokitty Comic Sans'. Hannah sent her dead cat to be cremated. The ashes came back with four poems -, written by her dead cats. 'Dear Pet Crematorium', she responded, furious that her cat should wait till she died to write to her, 'I am not her mum. I do not need to be told to be strong when she knows I am strong. I don't need to look for my cat in the 'first ray of sunshine'. But mostly, 'It hurts that she chose to communicate in comic sans!' Hannah's personality and energy brightened the room!

Colin Eveleigh read 'The lights are on', referring to a football changing room where the lights were never switched off till he put a sign up. It worked, however, not for long! Then, 'Performance', and what it feels like to perform. The fear, embarrassment...Liz Verlander, a 'natural' performer with a great wit and skill, dedicated her poem to Facebook. 'Like' comments to share. 'Inbox me'.Then 'dedicated to her 18 year old daughter Janet' who passed her driving test – She's terrified to ride with her - afraid she might get arrested. 'She's adept at a left but a fright at a right – Janet's response, 'It's my right to not turn right'. Like Hannah, (and yours truly), Janet worked in a refuge and spoke of women who go back to their partners even though facts show every week, two women are killed by their partners. 'He raped you, then called you whore'; but it didn't stop her going back.

G Rimes read about a young refugee who fell asleep in a lifeboat. A sailor bought her food and took care of her. After several weeks, she asked when they would get to America. Turned out she was on the ferry to the Isle of Wight'. Clever poem by a witty man! David Roberts read, Salome 2, about the artist Lovis Corinth who painted her as a lady of the night, then, 'The Irrational Man', the story of the film put to poetry. Lesley Prior then read 'Coriolis' a word that came into her head. 'Is it the name for a band or perhaps a conspiracy theory' (we'll have to wait for the next reading)..Richard Hawtree, often told his poetry is obscure, decided to satirise a sonnet on obscurity, 'Good Readers'. Created for those who crave obscurity – very good poem – well done. Jake, our compère, then read, 'Is it True'. His son asked if he wasn't wanted'. 'We didn't want a child so soon', he responded, but when you were on the way, we didn't stop you coming...Then, 'Fidelity and Hormones'. 'She was ready for marriage, fidelity and faith – though she went with different men searching for 'the one' . He then read 'The secret of a good marriage'. Every man must have a shed!'

Jood read 'All Very Well'. 'It's all very well to break a spell. How was it cast in the first place. Fool yourself to thinking one day all will be well. (a very good poem) Then, 'The Hand of Man' Both poems showing failures but still revealing a lot of hope still remaining. 'The Holy Communion will be reborn in our lives'. She called her third poem, 'Forsaken', 'This miserable little poem'. The audience didn't think so! Jilly Funnell played an instrumental, 'Ragtime Serenade' (by Peter Nuttall) on guitar, followed by a song, 'Hymn for Him', about growing old. It was dedicated to Marguerite Patten, her favourite TV chef, who she loved. Jilly related, saying, 'I'm more Marguerite than Nigella' and, 'we like Fred Astaire and sentiment. Jilly has a natural charm and glow that comes through on stage. She's a 'natural' performer.
Including a bit of 'happy' heckling in the audience and some chatting, (which shows how relaxed these evenings are), everyone was tuned in to the performers and a good time was had by all!

An audience member was lucky and won the £40 voucher for a free meal for two at 'Seven Fish', an excellent fish restaurant in Midhurst.

Please check out our Press Release, soon to come out – for Brendan Cleary plus 14 brand new poets at the open mic, apart from our 'regulars'. It's gonna be a great evening so don't miss out!

 


 

   
   

Write Angle logo, Website and graphics designed by Aaron Jell.  Site maintained by Jake Claret.  Copyright reserved.