This was a bit nerve wracking.

I have been writing poetry since I was a kid and now have a collection of about 40 which I like to call 'Will This Do?'. I haven't had the guts to do a reading or get round to an open mike type thing yet, although it was suggested that if I wanted them to go anywhere, I should. Hence the poetry night. Just get them out there for fuck's sake Alex.

It occurred to me one night that a couple of them might be interesting as radio things, and as, serendipitously, we had a session with no subject i thought I would be brave enough to have a go.

I brought about 10 with me. One, The Mad Trolley Bag Man, I knew I wanted to do for sure, a couple of others I thought might work, and some i thought would never work and were thus worth bringing along.

We started the session with everyone except me and Abigail reading one or more out so we could decide which to do. I didn't really mean for this to happen, and found it pretty excruciating. They are all very personal which doesn't really bother me, it was mainly a fear that everyone would think they were shit at that the session would be a painful 3 hours of everyone forcing smiles and being supportive.

On hearing them I was keenly aware that the only person I have ever heard read any of them aloud is me, and that I know exactly what they mean, what they are about, and how the rhythms work. The guys did great jobs, they just did it their own ways. The wrong ways. No. Their own equally valid ways Alex. Man, being a writer is hard huh? I so desperately wanted to have 20 minutes with each piece to explain why the stress really should be here etc. At the same time as all this I was very humbled that people did want to hear the next one, out loud, in front of everyone. I volunteered for this I kept reminding myself.

We decided on the pieces and went our own ways to do what we would with them. I kind of wanted to go with every group of course but couldn't, and am very glad I didn't. It was so pleasing and informative to hear the results and to think about how, if I were to spend some proper time thinking of putting them onto radio more seriously, I might do it.

I had to be the voice of one of them I felt, and chose the one I did, mainly because I wanted to direct it, and also because I wanted Colin to be the Bagman. He was so good that I think a play should be written for him as that character. It comes out a little quiet on the recording but is still wonderful work.

I think the choice of fitting Wanton Tube Girl between stops is a brilliant one, and hadn't ever imagined a female voice, so that was cool. I am not entirely sure that the guys got exactly what I was on about when I wrote it and now think everyone thinks I fucked some stranger on a tube, but I can live with that.

I love the idea for Megaphones For Jesus and think it works really well although hearing it out loud i think some of the writing as a bit clunky. Muller should play that guy. I've never noticed it before but doesn't he look just like him?

Germ War was the hardest one to let go of as it is a big subject obviously but i think it is very interesting. I find it hard to judge. Same we can't cut the pauses in the recording, although I quite like the suspense they add. Realised that Dad had never heard it so made sure sent it to him with a bunch of others before these went up and I guess that was on my mind.

I found it a wonderful and rather humbling experience in the end and if nothing else comes of 'Will This Do?' I am very glad to have these and very grateful to those that took part so brilliantly and openly for indulging me. You'll have to ask them if any of their smiles were false.

If anyone one fancies a read I am happy to pass some other stuff about.

Al

xx

Mad Trolley Bagman



Meagaphones For Jesus



Wanton Tube Girl (F)



Wanton Tube Girl (M)