About as avant-garde as I get…

Improvising with a loop pedal and layers of talks/live writing from Steven Fowler, Nathan Jones and me…Manchester Weekender, Cornerhouse, Oct 13th

p.s Don’t be put off. Opposition is quite accessible and entertaining.

Opposition @PulseFringe

Last week I went back to Suffolk (where I grew up) to perform Opposition at Pulse Fringe Festival, The New Wolsey Theatre.

I was a bit nervous about taking Opposition to Pulse, because I tour it on my own now, and it’s a pretty tech-heavy show. But actually we finished our tech early. There was a great team. The sound was possibly the best it’s been. Also a great audience, sold out, or very nearly. And my parents got to see it at last (quite encouraging during the performance to be able to pick out their laughter). And I loved performing in a larger space than I can usually get –being able to project my voice and body properly. It’s a big show, my big idea – David – and we do big things – Barrack – best in big spaces, because we are at our best when we are boldest – Tony.

Finally….I managed to get the show filmed. So I’ve got rid of that old youtube clip from the preview a year ago as it was too long and I’ve re-developed the show since. Here’s my new trailer. Not perfect I know – it’s a DIY job – also…with a trailer….thought maybe I shouldn’t give away all the best bits …

One of the new sections works with that Ed Miliband public sector strikes interview loop. I added it after the interview was referenced by a couple of reviewers of Opposition at Edinburgh last year – Lizzie Stewart at the Skinny, and Tom Chivers, Hand and Star. – The Charlie Brooker feature.

…there are some great comments about the Pulse show online.

What’s on Stage came, got an amazing review from them in Edinburgh so was a little nervous but all very good, I’m chuffed (although with my name spelled wrong it weirdly makes me feel like it’s not me she is talking about…):

The whirlwind of energy which is Hanna Silva, a deliberately androgynous figure in a well-tailored business suit, grabs the audience’s attention from start to finish…Silva pours out her torrent of words often while performing an extremely energetic and acrobatic sort of obbligato to what is being said. If I was asked to name my top show from all those I’ve seen this year at Pulse, this would be a very strong contender.

And Suzanne Hawkes from ‘one suffolk’ said it was -

A tour de force of a performance – if at times a bit like spending an hour in the mad house.

I know what she means.

Pulse is a great festival. Wish I could have spent more time there, and hope I get to go again…

Read more about the festival on Catherine Love’s blog…

MAINTENANT CAMARADE POETRY

A celebration of contemporary avant-garde poetry

Contemporary poets in collaboration

SATURDAY 31ST MARCH. RICH MIX. FREE. (UPSTAIRS)

The Maintenant Camarade series brings the UK’s most formidable and innovative literary poets and art writers together in collaboration for a wholly original night of cutting edge contemporary poetry.

The 11th event in the Maintenant series will be a unique celebration of European avant-garde poetry, bringing Sound & Visual poets together from all over the continent in collaborative performances and a free artfair for a wholly original night of cutting edge contemporary poetry.

Free facsimiles of concrete and visual poetry will be available from stalls manned by the poets and artists, while performances from the world of both poetry and music intersperse the evening. Hungarian Marton Koppany features alongside the likes of Holly Pester, Hannah Silva, David Berridge, Patrick Coyle, Tamarin Norwood, Ben Morris, Greg Thomas and many others.

Prosthetics

Here’s a recording of Prosthetics, the piece I performed at Bristol Ferment Festival the other day:

& here’s another part of what I performed…be patient as it starts quiet…or just fast forward the first bit….: Citadel

Hopefully I’ll find a video maker to collaborate with on developing the work over the next months…let me know if you know anyone…

And here’s a pic of Chloe Langford and I performing ‘Different Kind’ in Germany many years ago…photo by Michael Hayden

Chloe Langford & Hannah Silva

Norwich Poetry Club

Hannah with chin up

Off to Norwich next week to see my Grandma and perform some poems…

Tuesday January 24th, Norwich Poetry Club at the Bicycle Shop. Featuring headline act Hannah Silva, plus Martin Figura and John Osborne. £5 on the door, 7.30 pm.

From Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/306112706099284/

Hello, hello, it is us you’re looking for? Probably. We’re Norwich’s premier boutique poetry event and we’ve had a month off so you’re probably gagging for a big top-notch word action curtesy of some of the UK’s best poets. This month we have Hannah Silva who in 2008 was named as one The Times’ top 10 literary stars. She’s experimental, edgy and absolutely captivating. There is NO ONE like her on the poetry scene and you will not want to miss it. She lives in Plymouth (or somewhere down there) so we’ve done a bloody good job even getting her to the wilds of Norfolk, don’t miss it folks. Supporting we have the sublime Andy Mac, he of Dark Aunt fame. We’ve been told he is bringing one Dark Aunt with him, so our little club can experience he trademark blend of dark, sweet words and strange, dark melodies. Martin Figura, our resident ex-military man has some new stuff. The chances are it’ll be great, it usually is. John Osborne is going to compere and be all forceful and organisy (not a word) which will be exciting. He’s also got new stuff to read to you. It all starts at 7.30pm sharp. It costs a fiver. It’s in Norwich. Don’t be a wally, come.

Plymouth’s Tunnels, Plymouth’s Squid

photo by Georgie Kirrin. ARP shelter Plymouth

I’ve been doing some research for Part 1 of my performance in ‘Ferment’ at the Bristol Old Vic.

It’s one of those occasions where I wrote the description of the work before I’ve actually written it all. I wrote that Part 1 is about ‘Plymouth’s tunnels’.

I have a poem that’s the basis for this idea – I wrote it after visiting the Marine Biology Research Library at the Citadel. The woman who showed me around thought I might like to explore the books and drawings…and I would….but I was especially interested in the stories she told.

In the forties there was a director there who had a parrot. She explained he had to go and get his parrot from the library before going down to the tunnels when Plymouth was being bombed.

She also told us about the research students they used to get there, from Oxford…They wrote poetry every year, which was great. But the thing I found brilliant is that they used to dissect squid down in the basement of the Citadel. As they were cutting them up they’d throw the parts over their shoulders, and they’d land on the ceiling. Now, apparently, they’re still there – it’s a hazardous zone.

So that inspired a poem. Here’s an extract:

Years ago the squid from Plymouth Sound
were massive, brought back to the lab to be
examined then tossed over a shoulder landing
on the ceiling and staying there – stuck, suckers.

The parrot was left in the library
when they went down to the tunnels,
this is not the future we are talking about,
simple bombing, simply bang bangs.

So I’ve been researching Plymouth’s tunnels – apparently there are tunnels under the flat where I live… I’ve come across some great blogs on Plymouth history: This one: http://www.cyber-heritage.co.uk – and this about the tunnels: http://www.cyberheritage.com/plymouth_hidden_tunnels/

& this hardy Plymouthian has done some exploring: http://georgiekirrin.com/

Better get back to it…

Hope to see you there. Ferment Festival. Bristol Old Vic, 20th Jan, 6:30pm

About ‘Prosthetics’, Ferment, Bristol Old Vic

Prosthetics

Composing Speech: An explanation of how I build my sound/poetry piece ‘Prosthetics’.

See Prosthetics on the 20th January at the Bristol Old Vic, ‘Ferment’ festival.

Prosthetics is the final part of a triptych of new work. The triptych explores language – the violence of language, the impact of words beyond meaning. The section before Prosthetics is from the perspective of a ten year old boy. He takes a word, ‘Gaddafi’, and repeats it until it goes beyond its meaning to become sound and then beyond sound to become –

A gaddafi of horses, galloping,
gaddafi gaddafi gaddafi

Sometimes people say things as if they have no meaning….as if they don’t realise how shocking, insane, crazy the   thing is that they are saying. In Prosthetics I wanted to take those things and give them time…pull them apart…examine them…taste their meaning…take them out of their original context and consider them.

I watched a documentary years ago, it was made in the U.S and was about prosthetic limbs.

It was very positive. Positive to the point that the positivity stopped being believable.

 

 

 

 

 

I work with lines that were glossed over in the documentary:

Forty percent of those with prosthetic limbs will go back into war.

Amputation is the first step in rehabilitation.

It’s a positive thing.

There was a story about a little girl who had chopped the arm off and gauged the eye out of her doll. ‘It looks like a monster now’, she said. – Her father came back from Iraq without an arm and an eye.

I start by pulling apart the statistic. I reduce it to vowel sounds, and then consonants. This produces a particular rhythm. I record layer over layer using a loop pedal. Over the top I play with the other lines. I explore ways of speaking ‘Amputation’. I reverse it ‘noitatupma’. I speak it like the word itself is being amputated…I cut it up…taste it….make the word concrete, physical…

‘It’s a positive thing’ is repeated. ‘It’s a positive thing’

The story of the little girl goes over the top.

A little girl cuts the eye out and arm off her doll.
‘It looks like a monster now’, she says.
Just like her father.

At the end I speak the full line:

Forty percent of those with prosthetic limbs will go back into war.

– over and over, pitched a semitone higher on each repetition.

It’s a positive thing.

Latitude Festival Set

Womannequin

Getting ready to perform at Latitude Festival in Suffolk (where I grew up). There’s lots of interesting things…I’ll be mostly hanging out in the Theatre Arena….looking forward to Tim Crouch, The Opera Group and meeting all those new writing theatres that reject my plays : )

- It’ll be interesting to see ‘Seven Angels’ composed by Luke Bedford (writer Glyn Maxwell). It came out of a fellowship with Aldeburgh/Jerwood. I’m on the Aldeburgh/Jerwood Opera Writing Foundation Scheme at the moment. I’m working with Joanna Lee, who specialises in extended vocal techniques. The piece below includes extracts from the libretto I’ve written for her. (showing in Aldeburgh in a couple of weeks).

LATITUDE: I’m on 16:40 on Friday and 20:40 on Saturday in the Poetry Arena.

Got a bit of a crazy piece lined up…(as well as an extract from Opposition) Haven’t figured out what it should look like on the page yet…It starts with an old one ‘Puffer Jacket’…here’s the score…includes real letters to Abyss [Real Doll company -please don't sue me I'll take them out if a problem]

I’m a woman in a puffer jacket
I’m a woman in a puffer jacket with a corset on top
I’m a woman in a puffer jacket with a corset on top standing
on Oranienburger Strasse
I’m a woman in a puffer jacket with a corset on top standing
on Orianienburger Strasse wearing a lot of make up
I’m a prostitute on Oranienburger Strasse in the East of Berlin
giving a handjob outside a club making small talk
I am everything you are looking for in a woman in a puffer jacket
because it’s cold with a corset on top and very blonde hair
contrasting nicely with my fake tan
I’m a doll but I’m real for sale for one night I could be yours
love me pay me fuck me
I will always be there for you
except when I’m with someone else
I’m trying to be a doll dressed like a Barbie but I’ve failed
because I’m alive and I’m just a woman in a puffer jacket
with a corset on top and you want
a doll for life

articulated articulated articulated tctctctctctct
skeleton skeleton skeleton tktktktktk
articulated skeleton articulated skeleton
skeleton skeleton skeleton

A completely articulated skeleton that allows for an/atom/ically correct positioning an exclusive blend of the most expensive silicone rubbers for an ultra flesh like feel we’ll build a plastic partner custom made to order from body type to face type all the way down to fingernail colour if you’ve ever dreamt of creating your ideal woman you’ve come to the right place.

Very soft and stretchy lips
ultra soft tongue
soft silicone teeth

Oh Yes Baby Yes
I bought a Real Doll on the net
Dressed her up like my Ex
Hung her from the ceiling (for better penetration)
What a cool sensation!
Her soft and stretchy lips
provide my morning fix.
She can’t make coffee
but her completely articulated skeleton
was great value for money.
I’m buying a world that’s danger free
and packaged for me
I’m gonna consume
The Fantasy.

flawless formless faceless sell us
Sed
uctive
Sed
ative

smile    s s   s  split spill      slip  lip        tears     tears                ears

chic  cheek        eyes   Yes!    nose   No

face deface erase      deface erase efface

This season’s look is         faceless          

Dear Abyss,

My RD2 seems to be getting softer over time and feels ever more lifelike…
If you look at the pictures it may tell you that it is almost a waste to use her for her genuine purposes.
Finally the instructions were easy to follow and the cleaning kit as well as the adhesive have been much needed

nip it lick it zip it tweak tuck it fuck it perfect ctctctctctctct fit t t t t t

-       She photographs
-       Extraordinarily well
-      To the point of actually
-       Seeming alive
-       Even without a face
-       It’s easy to imagine
-       Her personality titty!

Dear Abyss,

What a companion she is! A joy to care for and emotional support!
It really is getting better and better. The things you discover… The things you can or must do: go shopping for her, taking care of her (washing, powdering), dressing her up, moving her… Kissing her, caressing her, cuddle her, laying next to her, holding her hand, brushing her wig… too much to mention

Anyway, to continue the feedback:  I don’t see them as replacing real women but they do come close.  The level of detail is exemplary, down to the toes!

I look in the mirror
I looked like this yesterday
so I change
Change is good.

We Salute
Winter’s
Elegant
Military
Inspired
Suicide
Smock mock

Dear Abyss,

I want to say that getting a RealDoll is the best present I have got myself and wish I could buy one every year since they keep getting better (like cars or computers).

Sc sc sc oop neck k k
V v v v V Neck k k
Ha ha ha ha Halter Neck
Ba ba ba ba Bateau oh oh Neck k k k
Bo oh oh oh Boat t t t Neck
Cowl Neck
Crew Neck
Decolette
No neck
neck and neck
necklace
neck
less            br   th less         n       k  less
bre    the less
ne  ck   less s s

Summ mmm mm mm
Summer!
Summ mmer’s
a breeze!
in an easy wear
wardrobe of florals
and brightly coloured silks
Change is g g g g g g

With nanotechnology we’ll rearrange our atoms
Put in our parts and take them out at leisure
There is so much undiscovered pleasure!

Dear Abyss,

The realism of the doll depends a lot on your life and your experience with real girls. She’s just a doll, but as I never had a real close relationship, she’s a bit more, somewhere in between a doll and a real girl…

Well, it seems like I ended up as a lonestar, and somehow I could never get this beauty goddess I always hoped to bump into some day…but you gave me this doll, the closest thing to my ideal female beauty. This one will even allow me to kiss and hug her, to even have sex with her. As I lack the comparison to real girls, for me it’s the best sex I ever had.

Some may laugh at me or throw peanuts at my head, I don’t care (I like peanuts, yummy!). Dolls can alleviate loneliness quite a bit. This stupid urge to find Mrs Right at all costs is gone…..I will find her one day….or not. Until then….

very soft and stretchy lips
ultra soft tongue
soft silicone teeth

-       Height:
-       1550 millimetres

less man I mate quin ult oice oice f f f lex
-       Bust:
-       830 millimetres

less mann e quins are the ult I mate   mate!
-       Waist:
-       630 millimetres

ch ch ch oice f f or flex ibility
-       Base diameter
-       1 point 380 millimetres
 
Head less mann equins are the ult i mate choice for flex ibility  titty!

choice less head less face less the ultimate the ultimate the ultimate the ultimate the ultimate ultimate ultimate

if you’ve ever dreamt of creating your idea woman
Very soft and stretchy lips
I’m a woman in a puffer jacket
even without a face it’s easy to imagine….
Change is Good
We’ll build a perfect partner
I look in the mirror

-       She is a very popular
-       Womannequin
-       Durable
-       Affordable
-       Natural
-       White matt finish  sh