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Listen
to poems from Sex with Elvis, with musical accompaniment and
arrangement by Shaun Lennox.
SOUND
FILES OF ANGELA READING ARE AVAILABLE ON MYSPACE HERE
I've
never liked doing readings. There are a lot of reasons for
this. These days, I've found that most events are geared towards
performance poets because comedy gets better audiences, and
events rely on money on the door. Therefore, there is, understandably,
a greater emphasis than ever before on being a polished performer.
Some people are, some aren't. I've spent a lot of time and
effort trying to get better at this, but I know it's not what
I'm good at. At readings humorous work goes down a lot better
than work that isn't funny. Readings are a strange thing these
days. Fewer and fewer events have the funds to pay for people
to read their work, so readers read at their own expense.
Great if you can afford to do it and are good at it.
I've
been to many readings. I'd say this. If you are going to read:
1) Know
the audience- make sure you've been to the event first. If
you have and notice it is mainly funny work pick your lightest
work. It may not be your best, but comedy audiences find it
easier to get into than suddenly switching their mood from
laughter to hearing all about your dead hamster.
2) Select
the poems you will read first, have them printed out big enough
to read. Have them in order, so you aren't searching for poems
on stage.
3) Avoid explaining the work too much. I've been to many an
event where the explanation of the poem is longer than the
work. It can sometimes work for comedic effect, but can give
the impression the writer isn't confident the work will come
across without its explanation.
4) As a matter of courtesy, I always stay and watch the other
performers that have read when I have. You'd be amazed though
how many people read their own work then just leave. Unless
you want to gain a reputation as that rude writer, don't.
5) Don't read too long. Events seem to be becoming longer
and longer, more people are crammed in. If people are out
they may want to hear work, but they also want a drink or
to mingle. It's discourteous to read too long- tough on your
audience, and rude to people who may be reading after you.
(I'd say most people probably do read too long, the problem
with it is it gives the impression you think you are the star
of the show. Chances are you are just one writer reading amongst
others. It isn't fair to the other writers to read too long.
It looks vain. Keep it short, leave the audience wanting more,
rather than bursting to go to the rest room.
6) Practise your set first, tape it perhaps, or time it, before
the event. This way you'll feel more prepared. Some people
will say read at every opportunity you get, regardless. If
you have the confidence to this, ie: you know it's a comedy
venue where your work doesn't go down well, but it doesn't
bother you, then do it. If, on the other hand, it's a venue
you've been to before, where people are noisy and don't listen
or your work just doesn't fit, I'd say you don't have to.
If you're not getting paid for reading it should at least
be fun and help you sell a few books, not knock your confidence.
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