Depression bites then new zest !

I have not written for a while as everything I had worked on for over a year (research -year and a half or so) sort of came to an abrupt halt . Such desolation abounds within and with out me ! By virtue of also having a day job as well - there has been so much work to do there. But as always things happen I have reviewed some poems and text with a view to more tweaking. The narrative story is still as strong as it ever was, also my committment despite the severe setbacks ( arts grant being curtailed etc) . All will definitely help to create a stronger work . I'm massively encouraged (though I just missed a chance to see the piece at Curve Theatre the other week ) Vertical road by Akram Khan which has had rave reviews . I read the Guardian newspaper review and was so excited by the fact that it had some Butoh influences . This gladdened by own heart as I had submitted myself earlier in the year ( I knew butoh would unlock some of the physical theatre the piece needed) to the wonderful rigours of Elena Boschi's Butoh Workshop. I am so lucky to have a bona fide Butoh (Japanese physical theatre /dance) practitioner in my own city. Benji Reid is also coming back to Leicester I cannot wait to see and work with him again. Fortunately things happen at the most unexpected places and times. I went Nottingham Liming and met an old Club Promoter Richard Frost colleague I had not seen for over 20years, he works in digital visuals and yes I told him about our project and yes he is interested in getting involved. This was also before I saw his West End based London company Media Zest website .....oh the joy - as there I found the most divine neat digital visual delights - I was thrilled !

The One That Got Away Saying So Non! & Coming Up ....

So part from postponing all the dates there was one that got away !! I did what I had to do but was more than gently persusaded to do 'something' on one of the dates in a ill advised phone conversation in a state of some distress . This of course was an eon ago and so much been going on in the mean time so other comittments made. But more importantly to use an analogy 'you cannot serve uncooked food to guests right ? Even if you want to tantalise them with them with the most delectable spicy morsels, that you have collected and prepared .. Given the current state of matters . This is impossible of course . So I have to say again NON !

In a meeting recently where people, programmer artistic directors and producers talked in a weak way, about supporting performing artists (like it was something they had never done beofre ) Everything they were talking about focused exclusive on the 18-30 age group . I wonder what on earth -are we to do with those that fall outside of this group ? Europe also this almost fetishistic focus on youth become tedious . What about those older people (we are a growing groupp demographically) with rich life experience, passionate view points, creativity, real artistic power and expertise even ? Those that may challenge and provoke more thorough there art they are kept marginalised .

I despair sometimes truly. On the up I am building up foundations and scaffolding more slowly and surely than I ever before. So confidence rises with this new learning , examination , reflection and construction . My some of my poetry is to be published soon in a magazine. Along side, the fact that I am being included on a website featuring UK post colonial writers/literature, curated by a respected Litereature Academic . I am bouyed by this so keeping always on the up. Last but not least a significant Sillitoe contact has been made as well the joy of me attending an Alan Sillitoe Event Celebrating the Writer- in Nottingham .