Letter To The Man (from the boy) in York & Leeds in Feb

Snapping Turtle Presents…

Ever wished you could send a message to yourself in the future? A message that reminds the person you become everything you are today?

Join Henry Raby, York-based punk poet, and write a letter to your future self. Henry will perform his own take on that journey into adulthood, with poems ranging from comics, cartoons and crayons to teenage crushes, puberty and hangovers, with the opportunity to share your own stories and memories.

This is a one-man spoken word show for anyone that’s still resisting the urge to grow up.

YORK:  City Screen Basement, Coney Street, 8pm, £4 Featuring a performance by 6 Lips Theatre Company and poetry from Humphrey McColl and Rose Drew.  Facebook event:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/298150430228710/ tickets available from http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/York_Picturehouse/film/Basement_Henry_Raby/

LEEDS:  Performances take place on the 1st & 2nd Feb 2012, starting 7.30pm, running time roughly 60-70 mins. Entry is free, but the space is limited capacity. Sign-up sheets will be posted in the Workshop Theatre foyer nearer the time.  Studio 3 is part of the Workshop Theatre on the University of Leeds campus, just down from the Parkinson Steps, opposite the Arnold Ziff Building (http://www.leeds.ac.uk/theatre/).  Audiences are encouraged to bring cushions, pillows, matts & sleeping bags!  Facevook event:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/150593345049677/

More information:www.facebook.com/henryrabypoetry and http://henryrabypunkpoetry.blogspot.com/

Ironing Out The Iron Lady

The Iron Lady

Thatcher has a special place in the hearts of the British.  She has devout loyal followers who claim she saved Britain from economic ruin, a modern woman who changed the political landscape and stood her ground to the end.  Others call her an evil woman who demonsied ethnic minorities, single mothers, homosexuals and led a war against the working class, ripped apart mining communities, fuelled international conflict and sent unemployment sky-rocketing.

But in my opinion, to boycott, call for a ban, dislike, distrust, hate a film without seeing it is akin to the backlash from right-wing Christians to ban/boycott Life of Brian or Jerry Springer The Opera.  So I decided to go see the film and make my own mind up.

Thatcher’s entire history of her career is told through flashback, the main character of Thatcher is an old woman, living in the 2009 with dementia.  Denis, her husband, has been dead for 6 years and Thatcher is reduced to a prison in her own home, forgetting names and dawdling around her home.

The film is about a woman struggling with old age, looking back on her life and trying to force the memory of her deceased husband stop haunting her.  The clichéd rousing speeches, the overcoming of obstacles of the 80s are all filmed in bright colours and with an upbeat soundtrack to allow the grey present day appear so much sadder.

It’s like multiple personality syndrome for the woman.  Determined, forceful 80s Iron Lady and sad old 00s out-of-touch slowly dying Mummy.  It’s almost a Jekyll & Hyde, though the monstrous Hyde turning into the demur and waddling Jekyll.  Which one are we watching now?  Oh yes, it’s bright colours and she’s given someone a ticking off, it’s the 80s.  And now?  She’s depressed, must be modern day.

So as far as the politics go, over strikes Labour leader Michael Foot gives a damning account of the state of Britain in the houses of parliament.  Images of angry strikers attacking Thatcher’s car reoccur from time-to-time.  Those opposed to Thatcher are never properly explored, but then it is a film about her history and her mind.

Footage of the 80s varies from the images of glorious post-Falklands Union Jack-splattered patriotism and the stock market swimming in money to rage-fuelled strikes, marches and rallies.  The consequences of Thatcher’s actions and policies are represented through documentation real-life footage of the 80s, allowing the audience to make their own mind up whether Thatcher’s government had a positive or negative effect on the country and people.

One could argue stylistically, the scenes of glory in the 1980s are necessary in order to contrast with Thatcher’s bleak life in 2009.  But the worry is as a by-product of this framing of the film, the scenes of 1980s conquests will leave the audience feeling admiration for Thatcher and sympathy for the current 2012 Conservative party’s Tough Antidotes.

And the film itself is flawed, whilst it tugged at my heart strings at times, it did resort to certain gimmicks here and there.  Chummy Jim Broadbent does his usually chummy role.  And trying to cover Thatcher’s entire 11 sickening years was a tad ambitious, leading to some later major issues and developments in her career being presented via single snapshot scenes. 

We have to understand our real enemies.  To attack a piece of art (admittedly an Oscar-vehicle money-making half-fiction piece of art) simply because we dislike or hate the subject matter or character upon which the film is based forms an automatic blanket of mistrust.  Hate the film based on the film’s failings as a piece of 1hr 45 min fiction and not for the sole reason it is about a person or subject matter engrained within our hearts to hate.

And if the film was a resounding and glorious piece of work which moved me to tears, I would still hate Thatcher, because, like Downfall and Last King of Scotland, this is a piece of fiction employing real-life characters for the purposes of telling a story/making money/winning an Oscar.  We must hate and love within the real world, and theatre/film/literature can inform us of our emotional feelings towards the political landscape, at the end of the day real-world people and real-world events should be out judge of political leaders, not a £5 film on a Friday afternoon.

To finish, if someone talks to me about The Iron Lady and how they admired Thatcher in the film, I will consider it my responsibility to argue against the characterisation of a triumphant leader.  And then I will make them watch antidotes such as Brassed Off, Billy Elliott, Riff-Raff and The Full Monty.

Generic 2011 Round-up

Songs of 2011

If Ever I Stray- Frank Turner-Finally Frank found his voice and his own tempo, no longer recycling cynical angst, his beautiful love and passion explode from this folk-rock gem

Let ‘em Come- Scroobius Pip- A forthright punk-gilded rap outburst, less of the story-poetry of earlier work, more a two-fingers assault

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised- Grace Petrie- A perfect political protest tune raging against the media and press, as uplifting as it is sweet-sounding

For The Kids of the Multiculture- Sonic Boom Six- Finally, a whole generation introduced to chavcore and SB6 perfectly reflecting 2011’s Britain, predicting the backlash from Racist Tram Lady

Bones- Random Hand- Another anthem for the ska-punk scene

Albums of the Year 2011

Richie Blitz- Protest Songs & Sing-a-longs

Grace Petrie- Mark My Words

Dropkick Murphys- Going Out In Style

Chris T-T- Disobedience

Claypigeon- Time Won’t Cease

Frank Turner- England Keep My Bones

Scroobius Pip- Distraction Pieces

Random Hand- Seething Is Believing

Stand Out Riot- Carnival Militia

Lowkey- Soundtrack to the Struggle

Best film of the year

Attack The Block

My highlights of 2011

I was grateful for Shattered Glass Media for a gig with Don’t Let Paris Fool You (R.I.P.) to start the year off. I performed my stuff to various punks and punk fans at Strummercamp 2011, meeting acts like Louise Distras, Billy Liar and lending a hand with Bootscraper’s Tim & Joel. I performed in London & Manchester for the first time.

At the Edinburgh Fringe I saw too many shows to mention, but shout-out to Matt Rudge, Tim Clare, Luke Wright, Tim key & Richard Marsh whose shows were lovely combinations of stand-up, comedy, theatre & spoken word. I also came 2^nd overall in the Hammer & Tongue slam. Ace. Next year. Take a show. Fingers crossed.

Come September I performed in 40 Years On, a great bunch of lads and a fun performance to be a part of and cement myself within the Theatre Royal.

I supported John Cooper Clarke, compered the acoustic stage at Pie Race 3 with Jake & The Jellyfish, Joe Tilston and once again Billy Liar and Louise Distras. I compared a night at Stereo with Helen Chambers, Jonny Gill and Nathan Luke. I also put on my own gig at The Basement with Chris T-T and Franz Nicolay.

Me and my girlfriend Lizzie launched Snapping Turtle Press, a ‘zine pure DIY, home-made style to get my work out there but other poets and illustrators. Also so I could sell some stuff at gigs to put a bit towards trainfare. Drop me an e-mail if you want one, a mere 50p + P&P.

But it’s not all about me. Because that would be a boring year. I marched on the 26^th March with hundreds & thousands of other angry protestors. At the Tory party conference aftermath I did Protest Hugs at Occupy Manchester. I marched again with the students in London in December. But I was also invited to read poems at the rallies to support strikes on the 30^th Nov and the 30^th June. I feel like I’ve been a part of a beautiful movement this year, with many heads and many arms. The Hardest Hit, the Trade Unionists, The (A)narchists, The Occupy Movement, the Militant Students, we’ve all played our part.

So…THE highlight:

Snapping Turtle Press #2 launch night, with some of my closest friends both performing and in the audience. Comedians, musicians, poets, story-tellers and randomers. I loved you all, and it was a great night. More to come in 2012.



So thanks to everyone for checking me out at a gig, speaking to me, giving me feedback, protesting with me, protesting at me, giving me a gig and buying the ‘zine. Oh, and thanks for reading this blog.



Next year’s resolution: The perform more and more gigs (naturally), to branch out to new cities, to take a show to Edinburgh Fringe (fingers crossed) and to work with more young people in an educational format, including workshops and devising.

So thanks again everyone, hope 2011 was good, hope 2012 is even good-ier.

Love

Henry

Upcoming Jan & Feb 2012

Before I do my review of 2011, I just wanted to list some upcoming gigs and events so far for 2012

Jan 25^th:  Part of Jonny Gill’s great line-up for his album launch at Duchess (York), I have tickets for £4 if anyone wants one

Jan 28^th:  Comparing the Goods Vs. Evil night at Stereo hosted by Sky Rocket Jack

Feb 1st-2^nd:  Letter To The Man (from the boy), my one-man spoken word show at the University of Leeds, Workshop Theatre.  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=559553641&ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/150593345049677/

Feb 5^th:  Something at Stereo (York)…more details to come

Feb 8-11^th:  At some point during the Leeds Fringe I’ll be performing a short story, will post details as soon as I get them!

Feb 10^th:  Letter To The Man (from the boy) returns to York, this time at the City Screen Basement http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=559553641&ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/298150430228710/

Feb 25^th:  Supporting Howard Marks at the Duchess, get in touch for £5 guestlist entry:  http://theduchessyork.co.uk/whats-on/detail/807

And that’s all before March!

A Little & A Little Adds Up To A Lot

This weekend I was privileged enough to perform at The Little Festival of Everything, the brainchild of Alex Wright (Belt-Up and Flanagan Collective) and Tom Bellerby (Pilot Theatre).  The setting:  The Fauconberg Arms in the small North Yorkshire village of Coxwold.  The plot:  To provide arts to a small community and allow companies to network and test material.  The cast:  Theatre companies, performers, musicians and poets from across the country perform in the tiny pub to local and travelling audiences. 

I wrote a poem about it, which I think sums it all up:

There was a little bit of sketch comedy when a man fell into a chasm

Two writers in a restaurant trying to out-do the other one

There was a little bit of music, the ugly sister’s side of the story

And foot-stomping, fist-swinging, hot dancing folk music glory

There was a little bit of poetry, lines written and read

Conversations with a copper who was also her Dad

There was a little bit of story-telling, William and Polly in the stars

Smiles on faces when we found out drinks were free at the bar

There was a little bit of heroism from tinfoil armoured knights

I had dinner with Dr. Higgs and I don’t think he’s quite right

There was a little market stall, a little chiselling of stone

A little filming too to tell the whole world what we know

That a little and a little and a little adds up to a lot

Going on in this friendly, old North Yorkshire pub.

So please check out 6 Lips Theatre, Snickelways Theatre, Hannah Nicklin, Tucked In, Whitebone, Forward Theatre Project to name but a few.

I think that the event really tapped into the ‘folk’ element of theatre and poetry that we forget amongst the busy hustle of London and the rainy leaflet-driven world of Edinburgh.  To perform to a small handful of people in a small room in a small pub can achieve so much, when said show/pub/village/room is full of appreciation, friendliness and love.  Poetry and acoustic music and theatre can pretty much be performed anywhere, all you need is an audience, it’s a very rootsy ideology.

Also, remember I’m doing a gig this Thurs, by which I mean physically putting it on off my own back, so please come down, it’s Franz Nicolay, ace acoustic musician, and Chris T-T, protest music artist, plus Copasetics and Helen Chambers.  City Screen Basement, £6, starts 8pm, Dec 1^st:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=294161147279011

The Three Ps: Politics, Protest & Poetry

"When they say cut back, we reply: March, Strike, Poetry-ise"

Just read Dorian Lynskey’s article in The Guardian about the current protest music scene (http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/nov/10/protest-music-akala-grace-petrie?newsfeed=true).  Made me think about poetry and politics.  I want to talk about a point Grace Petrie has hit the nail on the head here, to quote from The Guardian:

“The challenge, she believes, is to convince people alienated by mainstream politics to feel empowered in other ways. ‘What I'd like to achieve through my songs is to put it into a language that people who are new to politics can understand. There's not much to be gained by singing to rooms full of lefties who agree with me already.’”


Chris T-T has encountered this problem too, and has written the song Preaching To The Converted.  Itch from the King Blues has said more or less the same thing.  Who changed more people’s opinions, chart-toppers The Jam or The Clash or underground Anarcho-Punk bands like Discharge or Conflict?  I bet Anarcho-Punks are more dedicated to politics than fans of The Specials, but the number of people who bought and were stimulated by Ghost Town greatly outnumber the punx.


So, if we are talking about empowering a mainstream audience, please allow me to explore the medium of poetry and poetry open mics.  For poetry, it’s not really all that common to hear a politicalish poem here and there at open mic nights or slams.  We poets are, by nature, going to be upset with authoritarian government impeaching on our artistic liberties.  And, even worse than the musicians, we own a notion that we have something essential to say to the world.  And that the world wants to listen.  But we do have a fair whack of history behind us.  We have Shelly’s Masque of Anarchy to back us up, and the anti-war poems that emerged from the First World War.  We have William Blake.  We’ve got Allan Ginsburg.  We’ve got The Lost Poets, Jack Mapanje, Gill Scott-Heron, Ian McMillan, John Cooper Clarke and Attila The Stockbroker. And shout-out to less known fellows Captain Of The Rant, Cat Brogan, The Ruby Kid, Kate Tempest, Monkey Poet, Chemical Poets, Luke Hoggarth, Martin Dawes and Young Dawkins.


But in all times where there’s clearly a mass movement, an injection of inspirational art never went amiss.  Coming from a theatre background, I’ve never been comfortable in going down the Emily Dickinson route of keeping my poems locked away privately.  Reading aloud to a crowd, words can stir the soul to thoughts and actions.  Like music, a poem read live is one of the most powerful tools we have in changing the world.

Reading political poetry aloud is not without its traps.  Perform a poem with too much aggressive politics, it makes the room uncomfortable.  Talking about violence, anarchy, socialist revolution and standing on a chair screaming your mouth off would be totally out of context.  And rightly so, poetry gigs are usually in a cosy back room of a pub or small bar, maybe even theatres or libraries.  Without the drive of music backing the work, it can fall embarrassingly flat.  And worse, it makes your issue seem like an over-zealous, extremist, radical and alienating affair.  But, as Grace says, it’s not about preaching to the converted.  It’s about creating accessible art that engages people and inspires them to perhaps take further action.  Like Sonic Boom Six’s Kids Of The Multi Culture, The King Blues’ Save The World, Get The Girl or The Jam’s Town Called Malice coming on the radio with a catchy hook, a poem in the right space at the right time has such incredible power and energy it’s no wonder poets and artists have been feared in dictatorships around the world.

So if you’re thinking of joining the foray and writing a political or protest poem about current issues, here are my thoughts.  I’m far from the most experienced ‘political poet’ out there, if anyone’s interested in writing some protest poetry, here’s some vague advice:

·         Don’t force it.  Allow the poem to come organically.  Let the thoughts mull around in your head.  Wait for inspiration; else the poem lacks that authentic element.  Don’t worry, watch the news enough and read newspapers you’ll find your spark.

·         Make the poem into a story.  Stating the facts is boring and too much like a speech.  Focus on a character, a situation, an emotion.  Make us care about the human issue.

·         Believe in what you’re saying.  Don’t talk about violence if you don’t agree with violence.  Don’t be naively optimistic if you feel somewhat cynical.  All honest individual feelings give your poem weight and avoid it becoming meaningless propaganda.

·         Have a read about issues online.  Look at pictures.  Go down to an occupation, picketline or march.  Talk to people.  Immerse yourself in a vibrant world.

·         Take delight in feeling like your poem will change the world.  It won’t, but it may well change people’s opinions.  Far more exciting for an artist if you ask me.

Anyone with some thoughts, please let me know suggestions or ideas.  Drop me an e-mail henrythepoet@btinternet.com or on my FB www.facebook.com/henryrabypoetry, I’m always looking for different ways to write and be inspired to write.

Here’s a few examples of protesty/politicalish poetry.  My poem Protest Hugs (which you can see here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-xCWGKNhD4) is a love poem in disguise, with some daft images it sort of works at open mic nights depending how it’s delivered.  Same for my new poetryzine The Unkettleables.  Here’s me performing at the rally for June 30^th 2011 strikes, far more aggressive but the audience interaction works well with a crowd who are used to chants:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF_4dxnR_-Y.  I remember Inua Ellams reading a poem that was heavily narrative-driven, focusing in on individuals, both police and protestors.  Luke Wright’s The Vile Ascent of Lucian Gore & What The People Did (http://www.lukewright.co.uk/books) is packed with humour.

Poetry, like all mediums, is our tool to inspire and engage audiences.  If poetry is meant to reflect the beauty of humanity, then I assure you there is nothing more beautiful than people unified.  And if you think the movement only has frenzied hatred, then it’s your responsibility to inject it with some love and poetry.

P.S. In response to the continous search for political music, personally, finding decent acts has never been a problem.  I think large protest movements do inevitably give rise to more people getting involved with making political music, so if you’ve having to desperately scour to find political music online or at the right sort of gig, maybe you’re looking in the wrong places.  Need some UK acoustic folk, with hints of the political, social conscious and protest?  Louise Distras, Jake & The Jellyfish, Billy Liar, Richie Blitz, Ducking Punches, Mike Scott, Robin Leitch, Chas Palmer-Williams, The Casual Terrorist, Chris T-T, Gary Kaye, Mike Scott, Mike Only, Ed Ache, Emma Hallows, Perkie, Joe Tilston, Babar Luck, The Last Laugh, King Charles, Sam Russo, Al Baker, Shankland, Liam O’kane, Oxygen Thief and the collective Fold.  Bands?  Too many to mention.  Here’s a few.  ONSIND, The Junk, Tyrannosaurs Alan, Throw Rocks At Cops, Crazy Arm, The Exposed, Resolution 242, Dirty Revolution, Stand Out Riot.
 

There.  Now grab a guitar/pen & paper and do it yourself.

THE UNKETTLEABLES

 

When you’ve been kettle tight by police,

So close its nose-to-armpit

And you really badly need a wee

And there’s not even enough room to hop from one foot to the other

And you’re human rights have been abused

Because they won’t even tell you that night’s X-Factor result…

You call…


The 'zine cover



A new poetryzine, Unkettleables is a 14 page story about a hardy group of kettled individuals attempting to escape from a police blockade.  However their methods involve pogo sticks, space hoppers, catapults and a legion of pigeons to slip past the police lines.

Written by me (Henry Raby) in the spirit of humorous punk poetry and lovingly illustrated by Lizzie Alderdice, this ‘zine is 100% DIY style.  The story itself is a like a fusion of Doctor Seuss and Shelly’s Masque of Anarchy.  A entertaining read anyone who’s ever been on a protest or anyone who enjoys surreal little stories.

To grab a copy simply drop me (Henry) an e-mail at henrythepoet@btinternet.com.  They’re priced 50p to cover printing/time/stapes/ink etc, plus however much P&P will cost, as wel accept Paypal.  I have them at most of my gigs as well.

This is part of the Snapping Turtle Press bibliography, which includes two compilations of poems my myself, Lizzie and other poets, both 50p each.

Cheers J

Henry

Here's some examples of the 'zine:

someone else suggested balloons.  Admittedly some read Congratulations but there was no call for celebration too soon.

His design for a makeshift catapult was fairly ill-conceived, whilst his slingshot made from banners and flags needed to be seen to be believed.