A Well Red Poem

I’m proposing a small intervention

To see if what I am thinking is right

Cause if I’m right in thinking

Your interest in me’s shrinking

It may well be gone by the night.

So I’m planning a small intervention

To just check you can still see me here

I might dance around

With my pants on my head

Or cover my body in beer.

I might sit in front of the telly,

Or put one extra sugar in your tea

So when you look up

In glucosed disgust

All you’ll see there is little old me.

I might send you six million postcards

With photos of me on the front

And on the back of each one write a story

Though that’s quite an extravagant stunt.

I might ask you outright to tell me or

To see if you’re quick to dismiss

Or I might write a small little poem

And post it on a blog

Just like this.

Warm and fuzzy street arts tasks!

What can get your heart racing, give you warm fuzzy feelings and potentially annoy the christmas jollies out of others, all at the same time?  No, not being in love. It's street arts of course you crazy Red-ette bunch! This is what we managed to achieve in today's lecture. The lecture started with a brief explanation of the interventions we were about to create on the street in order to communicate with our potential audience. The proposed tasks included small acts or happenings that to the regular shopper may be completely overlooked and go absolutely unseen but to those with a more open mind at the time of passing, could be more visible and influential.

* Above:one intervention included all pointing at nothing in particular. Obviously.

* Note- my gorgeous street arts peers as we carried out our mini exploration, pictured above.

One of the acts carried out by our lecturer included entering a bookshop and singing. This, surprisingly, was actually very well received by the staff and customers who either smiled or continued about their literary shop completely ignoring him. I could actually talk for days about how interesting I find the varying reactions of the public to street theatre (but dont worry, I wont). The 'if i dont look at you, its not happening' look being my favourite which is akin to those I expect homeless people get alot. I think, however, the positive reaction here was due to the choice of song, time of year (people being more open to festive cheer and all that in late November) and the fact that my lecturer has an incredibly nice voice.

Another of the tasks included the applausing of members of the shopping centre we met on our way and again, surprisingly this turned out to be quite a crowd pleaser! The man doing the grouting seemed positively made up that he had received such a big hand, so much so in fact, I heard him telling whoever he was on the phone to about it later. The security guard slightly less so, but he smiled all the same.

Our final task was to make a connection with a member of the public, including something small such as a smile or even eye contact. Interestingly enough, despite having the best will in the world to make a positive connection,my heart was still racing with this task. Walking towards an elderly chap ( who looked like he'd had his fill of festive shopping) I decided to shoot him a smile and though he took a few seconds to respond, he did all the same. I then went in for a full blown 'Merry Christmas' (despite it being late November, but didnt really know what else to say!) and to my surprise he grinned and replied 'Merry Christmas'. He seemed so taken aback as I walked past that anyone would think I'd just given him the winning ticket to the lottery!  I was pretty happy too and had that weird little fuzzy feeling in my tummy when you've done something good to make someone else smile. And it made me think, I mean, sod the street arts for a mo...wouldn't the world be even just that tiny bit better if we all just smiled at each other and gave people a 'merry christmas' in November...well, not just that obviously but it's a start.  

Most importantly though, I learnt that just because you're a street artist doesn't mean that you can just waltz in and declare the attention of the audience around you. You have to earn that from them, moreso than you would in an auditorium where people have paid to be there and will find it difficult to leave! People have real lives, real shopping to do and may not want to watch you doing some contemporary dance piece on the current economic crisis. They may just want to crack on with buying new pairs of novelty socks for their sisters and old spice for their dads. And that, I believe is one of the most important things I will take with me....(not the Old Spice, the moral,innit.)

x x x

Some well festive radio!!!

Hello again you lovely lot!

Well, this evening I am full of the joys of christmas! In fact so much so, I am ready to hang my baubles, stuff my turkey and erect my tree. I have just returned home after having the pleasure of performing in an incredibly funny radio play written by my uni peer which was a comic adaptation of Dickens 'A Christmas Carol'. I was fortunate enough to have played the well spoken Ghost of Christmas Past, the barmy Mrs Cratchit, a dodgy beggar and the little boy at the end who buys the turkey! 

(Photographs by B. Way)

I have never done any radio/voice work before so this was a lovely insight into it. There is something truly liberating in not having to 'physically' act and instead just using your voice as your means of characterisation. Performing in front of a live audience too is also a treat as you get the reactions you would when on stage to give you that extra little bit of oomph!

It was a brilliant experience and the best bit was that the script was fresh, new and incredibly funny, from a writer I can see going as far Mr Dickens himself! Its so very exciting to think we are all here, creating new work together and right now, in this cosy little bubble of university life, it feels as though we could achieve anything. Having been a full timer before my studies, I am under no illusion that this is optimistic in comparison to the actual working world, but hey, for now, I can dream ;)

*Sighs and reflects on the evenings endeavors* Right, now where did I put my nutcracker....

x x x

Oh, almost forgot! Keep a look out for the podcast version of the play coming soon!

Angelic Intervention?

As part of our course this week we were set a task to create an 'intervention'. The aim of this was, in short, to produce an idea that made people think...about something...anything, not even particularly what you were thinking when you had the idea. 'That's intriguing', I hear you cry! Well, indeed.

Now normally, I can get very stuck into projects like this and come up with something almost instantly (I know, I'm so terribly modest) but this time I got rather stuck for ideas. It was very late at night and I was pondering what I would do when I just happened to glance up at the halo that I had worn for my sisters hen night, placed precariously on my dressing table. We have a chapel on our university campus and I thought it would be a splendid idea to stand outside the chapel with a halo on my head. I have no idea why, it was late, I was tired and I thought it would lead to a completely open interpretation for passers by. I certainly didn't want to offend and likewise I wasnt trying to make a statement about Christianity. I have no problems with the Christian faith and nothing much to say about it, on the contrary I just wanted to make others think.

This morning however, in my 6am coffee fuelled state, I thought I might spice things up a bit by obtaining some form of christian based book for the angel to be reading and when picking one out from the library I found a jolly little book on Satan and how rubbish he is. In this respect the book was actually FOR Christianity despite it looking at first glance like a 'Devil Worshipping for Idiots Guide'.

After speaking to my lecturer, I decided to start by sitting slightly away from the chapel so as not to directly force ideas into my audiences minds and on the contrary give them space to ponder. This also limited the possibility of negative response and was all in all, more respectful to a faith I have limited knowledge about.

I must say I received rather mixed responses! One chap just stood in front of me and said 'Well, how bizarre.' He then called his friend over and they had a little giggle together which was quite sweet in a way.

As a lady passed me she retorted, 'Thats an excellent book', then walked a little further and then stopped and turned back. 'May I ask why you're reading it?' she said with a smile, almost disregarding my Poundland halo. On explaining the task I attempted to remain neutral and tell her that I had no motives of what I wanted the audience to feel or think, rather to give them a stimulus for thought. Interestingly though, she then proceeded to tell me about her faith as a Christian, before thanking me and walking off.

Another lady asked if she could take my photograph when she saw the title of the book I was reading which again was very interesting to me. What will she do with that snap I wonder?... *flashforward to tomorrows Daily Echo front page spread 'SCANDAL : UNI STUDENT IS NO ANGEL'*. Na, probably not...

But all in all it was a very interesting task and I learnt a hell of alot about street art from it (excuse the pun). Respecting your audience being the biggest thing. They are, after all, your audience and without them its a bit like Eastenders being on with no one watching it ; a darned waste. Also, this work is primarily about change and you cant change the world on your own!!

As a side note, I am just sat in the library and noticed someone has defaced a sign by crossing out words and writing 'RED' on top of it. No, no it wasn't me....too much to think that word of my blog is getting around the uni though eh? ;) er......probably.......hehe

x x x

Doing it like a dude...

THE SERIOUS REASON I DRESSED AS A CHAP : One of our current street arts performance tasks at uni is based on the idea of consumerism, capitalism, corporations and the current economic crisis the country is in. In short, it's a despressing look at our world today. It has posed some really interesting discussions in my lectures about how we got here and what we could do to get out of it and interestingly enough, it was us (the students) who presented the subject matter as a worthy performance topic.

The character I play is supposed to emulate the 'big cheese' (or 'big knob cheese' I guess) who started and maintained this ridiculous capitalist society that we live in. The character represents all those who have done their bit to get us where we are. The character is both the puppet and the puppeteer and yet...I have no idea whether the character is male or female. And thus, the cause for this evenings explorations.

The issue I face is that it has taken BOTH genders to reach the current situation that we are in. However, it is often men who are associated with business and power, whereas women can sometimes still be seen to be hitting the 'glass ceiling' and all that jazz. Yet, on the other hand, many believe a certain Iron Lady as being the one who suggested we were onto a jolly good thing here. Originally and in our initial presentation to our lecturers, I established my character as a woman, more for conveinience than anything else *gestures to mammories*. However, I feel like I am taking the easy way out in doing so and I cant quite work out in which direction to go with it. Maybe the character is some sort of strange hybrid of both woman and man... Is it even important?? Am I thinking more about this than is required? Does the fact I'm doing so say more about me than it does about the situation??

I havent a clue, but I fully intend to pick my groups brains about it tomorrow. One thing is for sure however, either way...I make one ugly bloke.

x x x  



And now for something controversial...

Ahhh...another day, another blog entry. This evening as I tap away with my (slightly warm) glass of vino, I am still trying to make sense of what I have just seen. I have just returned from an evening at the theatre watching The Two Wrongies. The performance was incredibly explicit and undeniably thought provoking. It touched on our social anxieties about sex and gender and genitalia in fact. It was intriguing to see the audience change and react to the goings-on on stage and made me wonder about the boundaries of what we find socially acceptable to show in performance.  But as this blog is about experimentation of my own practice, I have decided to share with you something that the evening has inspired me to share. This poem needs no introduction. It may be crossing boundaries or it may be venturing into the potential sources of self expression that could be used by people in context of their own issues. I would be interested to hear your thoughts (although I really would'nt know how via a blog, being technologically challenged and all). I will say, however, if you're squeamish, I advise you do not read!

Frustrations of a twenty-something woman

• Id like to replace this vagina,
  For a better vagina please,
  This current vagina is faulty,
  and riddled with nasty disease.
  
  Its constantly covered in fungus,
  and fungus does not cause romance,
  and I'm seeing this charming young chappy,
   and I'd like to get into his pants...
  
  But I cant cause of this sodding vagina,
  The vagina thats broken on me,
  its constantly sore and though I dont want to bore,
  makes me repeatedly desperate to pee.
  
  Look, I dont want a fancy vagina,
  or a magic vagina you see,
  or a vagina that does little backflips,
  or a vagina celebrity.
  
  I just want a normal vagina,
  a vagina that does what it should,
  so after a sh*g and a hug and a fag,
  my vagina is still being good.
  
  Oh when can I have that vagina,
  the vagina that always feels fine,
  but I spose though it is truly horrid,
  at least this vagina is mine.

So there it is. My first little stab at artistic controversy...well, apart from my stand up...thats pretty controversial too.  Feel slightly liberated in a way but also slightly worried about the controversy that may have caused. But whats life if we cant take a few little risks eh?

Thats all for now folks

x x

Introducing Nanna Ruby!

I would like to introduce you to my Nanna Ruby! Despite being born today she is actually 94 years old. Ok, poor joke, my apologies. Nanna Ruby is the newest edition to the Well Red Company and I think a rather cute one at that. She is my first attempt at both making and performing with puppets but I feel that she is a good starting point. Ideally, I wanted to create a lifesize Nanna Ruby that I could take out into some experimental street performance but having no puppetry making skills and armed with only an old gardening sweatshirt and ball of red wool, I felt I might be running before I could walk.

Her mouth isn't the easiest to operate but I do love the way the felt creases to make little wrinkles! What to do with her...I wonder. Well I am going to take her for her first visit on Thursday when I go to meet my (real) nan when we have our tea and catch up sesh (with obligotary fondant fancies, of course). Incidentally my nan isn't called Ruby, she's called Minpin because she's so tiny! Will have to let her know that Ruby isn't based on her though, especially as Ruby has little grandma whiskers. Hopefully, she can give me the verdict on whether Ruby's any good or not though and maybe they could have a bit of a chin wag about the good old days (as long as they dont miss Deal or No Deal).

After that, who knows. Im sure she will have a use somewhere down the line for some performance or another. Either way she was a great distraction from the essay I had to write today. Oops! Speaking of which I'd better go and crack on with it....

Bye for now Red-ettes x x

Tracey-Lu's Home Video Tour

 

I must admit, as I sit typing up my blog this evening I cannot help but grin. I am actually rather chuffed you see, as I have just created a dvd as part of some homework I was set within my course. The task was to simply create a 'tour' of any kind, so I thought I'd use one of my Well Red characters to do it! What fun I had! Tracey-Lu (Well Red Lady's very northern and eccentric sister) guided the tour throughout her home and proved to be an excellent tool for doing so. Well, I thought so anyway! Don't get me wrong, she needs alot of work but this was the first time I had brought her to life since I had the Well Red photographs taken, as you can see above. It was refreshing and intriguing to see that my creation of character came organically through the use of my costume rather than the typical 'whats my motivation' approach . I think I actually prefer this way of working.   

When interviewing one of my favourite street theatre companies last week, I was given lots of advice for starting out in the world of street theatre and in particualr 'using the resources I had'. Taking this into consideration, I managed to rope Father Red into this evenings creation by getting him to film and rip the DVD for me. He's rather fab at all that camcorder stuff you see. Little does he know that he made such a good job of it, I shall be calling on him again for his Spielberg like talents! 

Anyway, so that's my first little triumph box ticked. Rather good for a technologically challenged being I think.

One small step for me, one giant leap for Well Red Comedy!

x x x

*Insert first witty blog title here*

Well, hello there!

How jolly lovely it is to see you all. Apologies, lovely people, you will have to bare with me. I have no idea how this blog malarky works which is not surprising as I still have trouble using my mobile phone after a year! It's only a simple Xfactor one so to the average technologically challenged human it is reasonably easy to use. I however, had such little comprehension of how to do so, I switched my delivery reports on by accident without realising it cost money to receive them! That was £70 and alot of sobbing, I can tell you, not to mention the confusion when I then found pictures of Cheryl Cole and Leona Lewis in my gallery.

So here we are on my first little blog type thing. Ohhhhh! Its terribly exciting isn't it!? My aims for the blog are to document my work that I am currently carrying out at University as a Street Arts student. As well as well this, I will be trying out jokes, keeping you updated with current projects and just having a jolly lovely time really.
I have got a small disclaimer I would like to just put out there:

My grammar wont be perfect,
And it may make me come a cropper,
But I'll try my very best,
To write it good and right and proper!

Little morning rhyme for you there Well Red readers. Best I could do at this ungodly hour. Oh forgot to say, there will also be similarly low standard poems and such which is a bit of a phase I'm going through at the moment. Its endearing until a certain time and then you may just find it annoying so I'll try and limit it for the moment.

So stay tuned gorgeous peeps for fun and frolics. Must dash anyway, think Louis Walsh is on the phone...

Bye for now Redettes.

Well Red Lady
x x x