Well what a fantastic week! I think I speak for everyone who attended Cultural eXchanges in saying that it was an excellent experience. A big well done to the Faculty of Humanities - and especially the Arts Management staff and students - for all their hard work and effort!
Personally, my highlight of the week is split between the Postgraduate students and the Demon Crew presentations. Both set of students did a superb job of showcasing their work, and the standard was incredible. It made me excited about the next two years I have at De Montfort University.
The Postgraduates taking Creative Writing had the ambition to go far and the quality of the writing to make this possible. Their passion for their work really came across.
The Demon Crew student publication launch was packed and we were treated to cakes, biscuits, sweets and drink. The work ranged from poetry, short stories, scripts, magazines, prints etc. There were quite a few pieces intergrating social technology, keeping writing modern which was very smart. All the students presented their pieces in distinctive ways, either using humour or strange props that reflected their pieces. Overall a brilliant event.
Of course Blake Morrison was great to watch. It's always nice to see an author perform their work. The same could be said for Sean Bonney and Maggie O'Sullivan. I was glad that I went out of my Writing-English comfort zone with the 60x60 concert, experiencing music as well.
On the final note I have to say I am looking forward to Cultural eXchanges 2012 already! If you didn't have the chance this year, make sure you come along next year!
Showing posts with label Maggie O'Sullivan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maggie O'Sullivan. Show all posts
Monday, 7 March 2011
Yet more about Maggie and Sean
I must admit, I didn't know what to expect when I turned up to watch poets Maggie O'Sullivan and Sean Bonney. My knowledge of the pair of them consisted solely of what everyone else had said: "They're brilliant performers." That's probably the vaguest description you can give a poet.
Watching each of them, however, I was astounded. A shy, tired-looking Bonney metamorphised into an aggressive, snarling ringmaster of his stage, slaying totalitarian men in power with cutting imagery and a rapid pace. Each phrase, each word employed by Bonney sounded tailor-cut for his depiction; I stopped to marvel at his language a few times, only to lose track of where he'd reached in his bullet-train delivery. Whilst Maggie O'Sullivan didn't quite put the world to rights, she was equally as mesmerising: an otherworldly cascade of sounds, words and phrases captivated everyone in the room.
Simon Perril had compared both poets, prior to Bonney's performance, and he had hit the nail on the head for me. Both read utterly stunning poetry with a ferocious passion, and both held their audience in the palms of their hands, with every syllable that trickled from their lips.
One thought flooded my head as I left. What an introduction to the pair of them - and what an experience.
Mark White
Mark White
Friday, 4 March 2011
More on Maggie and Sean
One thing which really impressed me about this poetry reading was the way the poets became different characters whilst reading their work. When Sean Bonney introduced himself he seemed quiet, almost shy but when he started to read he was transformed. His angry, anarchistic expressions driving forward his poetry to an audience of roughly 50 people.
My understanding of performance poetry may be basic but I can appreciate talent when it is in front of me and I learnt a lot from watching these poets perform.
Chris Guest
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Drooling over Words
Should I take my 7 year old daughter Sarah to the poetry readings by Sean Bonney and Maggie O'Sullivan at this year's Cultural eXchange event at DMU? I feared the content might be too adult but the argument of exposing her to culture won.
I love language and word play. At a recent poetry reading by Geraldine Monk, again, at DMU, I agreed with Geraldine's approach when she said she drools over words. I also listen with a mixture of interest, horror and amusement to the evolution of Sarah's own language stye. Recently, the use of 'like' has entered our household, either as a discourse particle: "Mummy, I'm like, really hungry" or a quotative: "I was like, Amber, I saw the Justin Bieber film before you did."
Back to word bandits, Bonney and Sullivan. I needn't have worried about Sarah. We, and the whole audience, were mesmerised by the urgent delivery of Sean's passionate, punky poems, his delivery fuelled by some sort of lexicial power surge. Sarah wrote words she found interesting in her notebook. The one expletive she recognised was written down, complete with exclamation marks and a box to mark it out from the others. What a rebel.
Maggie's poems were, as promised, an event in language, with the focus on sound patterning: assonance, consonance, sibilance, alliteration. I loved the concrete references to base elements and metals, anatomy and nature.
I'm glad we went. We both feasted on language. Sarah commented later on how many 'wow' words she had heard. Indeed - and no further words are necessary from me.
Sally Jack
I love language and word play. At a recent poetry reading by Geraldine Monk, again, at DMU, I agreed with Geraldine's approach when she said she drools over words. I also listen with a mixture of interest, horror and amusement to the evolution of Sarah's own language stye. Recently, the use of 'like' has entered our household, either as a discourse particle: "Mummy, I'm like, really hungry" or a quotative: "I was like, Amber, I saw the Justin Bieber film before you did."
Back to word bandits, Bonney and Sullivan. I needn't have worried about Sarah. We, and the whole audience, were mesmerised by the urgent delivery of Sean's passionate, punky poems, his delivery fuelled by some sort of lexicial power surge. Sarah wrote words she found interesting in her notebook. The one expletive she recognised was written down, complete with exclamation marks and a box to mark it out from the others. What a rebel.
Maggie's poems were, as promised, an event in language, with the focus on sound patterning: assonance, consonance, sibilance, alliteration. I loved the concrete references to base elements and metals, anatomy and nature.
I'm glad we went. We both feasted on language. Sarah commented later on how many 'wow' words she had heard. Indeed - and no further words are necessary from me.
Sally Jack
Poetry: not just words on paper
I have never been too fond of poetry, but after an hour of listening to Maggie O'Sullivan and Sean Bonney, I suddenly wanted to write it.
It began with Sean Bonney and it was not what I expected at all. When he read his poetry, it was like he became a different person. He was sarcastic, angry and confident - as though the poetry controlled him and the atmosphere in the room. It was fascinating to witness.
I felt that Maggie O'Sullivan's poetry was quite complex. She used a lot of similar sounding words and the rhythm changed frequently - I have no idea how she managed to say it all so fluently.
Listening to these poets was a lot like listening to music or watching live musicians. You could see the artists' passion shine through when they read out their work.
I never knew that poetry could be so exciting - or inspirational.
Leonni Secondino
It began with Sean Bonney and it was not what I expected at all. When he read his poetry, it was like he became a different person. He was sarcastic, angry and confident - as though the poetry controlled him and the atmosphere in the room. It was fascinating to witness.
I felt that Maggie O'Sullivan's poetry was quite complex. She used a lot of similar sounding words and the rhythm changed frequently - I have no idea how she managed to say it all so fluently.
Listening to these poets was a lot like listening to music or watching live musicians. You could see the artists' passion shine through when they read out their work.
I never knew that poetry could be so exciting - or inspirational.
Leonni Secondino
Spoken Word Spectacular
This evening’s spoken-word reading by Sean Bonney and Maggie O’Sullivan was definitely an event of two halves; Bonney displayed measured and well-timed readings with a strong political focus, whereas O’Sullivan drew us into her world with vivid imagery.
The poets were given a positive and complimentary introduction by DMU lecturer Simon Perril, before Sean Bonney took the stage. Throughout his readings, there was a clear sense of political vision, with times and dates central to his work. His poetry often ended abruptly, leaving the audience sitting in silence to digest what they'd just heard.
Maggie O'Sullivan read extracts from many of her collections, including Red Shift and House of the Shaman. Her voice filled the room, rising and falling to express the imagery within her work.
As a student who has not witnessed much spoken word poetry, it was definitely a new, interesting experience for me, and I left wanting to listen to more of the same.
Lauren Simmonds
The poets were given a positive and complimentary introduction by DMU lecturer Simon Perril, before Sean Bonney took the stage. Throughout his readings, there was a clear sense of political vision, with times and dates central to his work. His poetry often ended abruptly, leaving the audience sitting in silence to digest what they'd just heard.
Maggie O'Sullivan read extracts from many of her collections, including Red Shift and House of the Shaman. Her voice filled the room, rising and falling to express the imagery within her work.
As a student who has not witnessed much spoken word poetry, it was definitely a new, interesting experience for me, and I left wanting to listen to more of the same.
Lauren Simmonds
Poetic pleasures
Sean Bonney and Maggie O'Sullivan performed their poetry in front of an all-age audience from 6-7pm last night. Both were completely different in their styles but knew how to perform and speak their words.
DMU Lecturer Simon Perril opened with an introductory speech about the two poets, which set up the reading.
Sean Bonney was on first, describing his work as 'counter-tradition', 'political' and 'punky'. It was certainly lively and he performed his poetry with the zest and passion of a man that had a message to bring. His poetry about the Tories winning the election was delivered with good humour and kept the audience waiting for what political problem he would encounter next.
Maggie O'Sullivan was clearly a poet who bases her work around sound quality. Writing for around 30 years, she is said to be intrigued by the 'spoken' and the 'voicelessness'. Her performance was enthusiastic and bouncy, certainly ticking the box of the 'spoken'.
Both were very goodand I would highly recommend them. It was certainly an experience for me, as an English Literature student, to hear poetry performed. However, if you're interested in politics, music or just poetry in general then check them out!
DMU Lecturer Simon Perril opened with an introductory speech about the two poets, which set up the reading.
Sean Bonney was on first, describing his work as 'counter-tradition', 'political' and 'punky'. It was certainly lively and he performed his poetry with the zest and passion of a man that had a message to bring. His poetry about the Tories winning the election was delivered with good humour and kept the audience waiting for what political problem he would encounter next.
Maggie O'Sullivan was clearly a poet who bases her work around sound quality. Writing for around 30 years, she is said to be intrigued by the 'spoken' and the 'voicelessness'. Her performance was enthusiastic and bouncy, certainly ticking the box of the 'spoken'.
Both were very goodand I would highly recommend them. It was certainly an experience for me, as an English Literature student, to hear poetry performed. However, if you're interested in politics, music or just poetry in general then check them out!
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Postgraduate Spectacular
Five students combined prose and poetry in a small reading that had a big impact on its audience.
I speak for the whole of the audience when I say the perfomances were riveting, satirical and promising. Not only was the quality of writing at a professional standard but the readings were executed in a confident way that captured the audience immediately.
We were warned at the start that there would be strong language and adult themes. And oh boy, there were but all played out in a highly amusing way.
A man with a 'wiggle' in his trousers, cross-dressing, gore, sexual fantasies, stalkers and 'floppy' stories are just glimpses of what the Postgraduates had in store for us. Humour - the trickiest technique for a writer to grasp - was integrated superbly.
The climax of the event was topped with stories of a seventy-five year old with the body of a Greek God, funny bedroom noises, the 'Prince of Fantasies' and the wonders of enjoying a relationship over the phone. All these came from a single story that gave rise to fits of laughter and stunned expressions.
Excellent event, definitely people I would look out for in the future. Not only were the pieces imaginative and fun, they were of a high standard and their dedication to the art shone through.
Right, better be off! Now going to see Maggie O'Sullivan and Sean Bonney perform!
Leonie Sturman
I speak for the whole of the audience when I say the perfomances were riveting, satirical and promising. Not only was the quality of writing at a professional standard but the readings were executed in a confident way that captured the audience immediately.
We were warned at the start that there would be strong language and adult themes. And oh boy, there were but all played out in a highly amusing way.
A man with a 'wiggle' in his trousers, cross-dressing, gore, sexual fantasies, stalkers and 'floppy' stories are just glimpses of what the Postgraduates had in store for us. Humour - the trickiest technique for a writer to grasp - was integrated superbly.
The climax of the event was topped with stories of a seventy-five year old with the body of a Greek God, funny bedroom noises, the 'Prince of Fantasies' and the wonders of enjoying a relationship over the phone. All these came from a single story that gave rise to fits of laughter and stunned expressions.
Excellent event, definitely people I would look out for in the future. Not only were the pieces imaginative and fun, they were of a high standard and their dedication to the art shone through.
Right, better be off! Now going to see Maggie O'Sullivan and Sean Bonney perform!
Leonie Sturman
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Day Two - and looking ahead
So, it's finally here, Cultural Exchanges week, Day Two. I'm excited about tomorrow, listening to the Postgraduate Creative Writing students. Cannot wait to see the quality of the work, and just how they perform their work.
At night, the poets Maggie O'Sullivan and Sean Bonney are performing at 6pm. Looking up their live performances on YouTube has given me great insight to their work and level of perfomance skills. Should be very interesting to watch!
Thursday is the Demon Crew, and I'm looking forward to going to see the students showcase their work. It will be great to see what sort of work I will be doing in the next two years whilst at De Montfort. I also know a couple of students in higher years, so can't wait to see them perform!
Again, another night performance with the author Blake Morrison. I was on the train this weekend reading Clockwork Orange when I realised he had written the introduction to the novel! A pleasant surprise, I'm very much looking forward to hearing excerpts from his own novels.
Friday is the 60x60 concert, which is very different from the other events I booked. 60 composers from around the world, each having 60 seconds for their piece with classic works. I'ma sucker for classical music so this should be interesting to see it played in a new, different way.
An exciting week ahead! I hope to see new and familiar faces joining me in these events!
Leonie Sturman
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