By Sheree Mack
Writer in Residence
There’s a palpable excitement in the Literary and Philosophical Society, in the centre of Newcastle upon-Tyne. Dozens of people from all walks of life are about to witness history in the making. They have come to experience Life Stories: a ‘pecha kucha’ inspired event.
Taking inspiration from the popular Tokyo event pecha kucha which means ‘chit-chat’ created to provide a quick and easy space for designers to share their ideas, Sheree Mack, the returning writer in residence, brings the event to the Lit and Phil for the first time.??Giving each presenter the option of 20 images in 10 minutes with the only stipulation being that each presentation has to be travel related, the evening promises to be stimulating and spectacular if not slightly different to the usual events within the Library.
Created in 1793 as a gentleman’s conversation club, the Literary and Philosophical Society now hosts some of the region’s most entertaining, educational and creative readings, performance of words and music.
The building is renowned for its magnificent glass-domed roof, therefore hosting an event on the close to the longest day of the year means that the long awaited sunshine is playing havoc on the projector screen. The words and images are integral to the whole experience, so to continue without images would be a major disappointment. Changing the room around while the audience enjoys wine and nibbles, makes sure that the show goes on.?A nervous Jo Colley sets the evening off with new poetry around Jean Baton a NZ aviator. She is working on the theme of flying so hangs a poem upon an image.
Between each presentation, Aidan Clarke performs his five cities poetic sequence; a very ambition piece of 430 lines based on T S Eliot’s The Wasteland. The aim is to enjoy five poems about different cities from around the world such as Rome, Paris, New York and Aidan does not disappoint. He has a way of performing, all from memory which captures the audience’s attention and doesn’t let them go until long after the words have died on his lips.
Sue Spencer talks about her travels to Nova Scotla, Canada and her quest to find out more about Elizabeth Bishop. Sue is so enthusiastic about this journey which made her question her own writing that the audience are rapt and ready to look at Bishop anew.
Stevie Ronnie kindly offers up his recent stay with a nomadic artist village as his presentation. Situated in Durham for 10 days these artists set up a mobile village with canteen, town hall and library, which Stevie provided with his travelling museum of books called The Book Apothecary. He is relaxed as he ponders how a disparate group of artists soon band together and gain that feeling of being at home. ?As writer in residence at the Lit and Phil, I talk about a recent trip to Rochester, New York where I finally found my artist eye.
Pecha Kucha at the Lit and Phil was a resounding success so much so that we’re planning our next one for 24 October. We have volunteers lined up to share their words and images. Can’t wait!
Leave a Reply