Sam and Dave, Barefaced Cheek and the Temple...

Lately, a significant portion of my 'spare' time has been spent working on the publicity and web presence for the fabulously talented Sam and Dave. Their comedy sketch show has been sweeping across the UK airwaves and shows no signs of slowing down. I do quite a bit of acting with them and they are just wonderful boys to work with. Performing with them has been one of the best experiences I've had in England and I hope it continues.

The Sam and Dave Show now has a myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/samanddaveshow. You can listen to a selection of their audio sketches and they'll be rotating and uploading more sketches over the coming months. You can also find out when and where their show is being broadcast and tune in on your little portable radio, or listen online. They've been getting some great feedback from other professionals in the industry and if I was a betting gal, I'd put my money on them any day of the week! They're also now on Facebook as well. Isn't everyone??!

The Sam and Dave Show is primarily Sam Morgan and Dave Rees with anyone else being part of the supporting cast/crew. Not to say we're not important, but we know the pecking order and it's well deserved! They are also planning a 4 show tour during the Exeter Autumn Festival in November 09 for which I'm flying back to this side of the pond to perform with them. I haven't even gone to Canada yet and already I can't wait to come back and perform with the boys.

Speaking of boys, my other boys (Barefaced Cheek) and I are in the midst of planning the recording of a number of our own sketches for distribution/broadcast. We'll also be performing live on Wednesday 20th May (along with Sam and Dave and other UK comedy acts) as part of a show called The Untitled Theatre which is taking place at the Havana Bar on the Quay, Exeter. The show starts at 8.00pm. Also, over the next few weeks, we'll be performing at various Exeter venues, including the Open Mike at the Bamboo Gardens (Wednesdays 9.00pm). If you're in the mood for a bit of Cheek, come and check us out!

The Temple of Nothing is going to be promoting its upcoming show - Women Are Revolting (July) by hosting a preview night at the Exeter Phoenix (bar) on 18th June. I'll be performing with them - my performance poem title I Am Eve along with an audio/visual element I've put together. If you're dying to see a dozen or so primal tribal fierce intelligent women dressed in white performing their hearts out, then I guess you'll want to put it in your diary. :)

Short Report

I've been working very hard for several weeks now, recording audio sketches for Sam and Dave's Show which seems to be cropping up on stations all over the South West lately. It's a credit to their perseverence and dedication...and let's not forget talent! They are doing some fabulous work, so if you have a chance, check them out on Phonic FM or SoundArt (with more stations on the way).

It's hard to wind down when there seems to be so much happening and I'm conscious of how much I am leaving undone in the UK. There are just too many loose ends to tie up!

This weekend I'll be concentrating on recording audio sketches from the Barefaced Cheek body of work. We are planning on combining the best sketches into an hour long podcast which will be available online, with single sketches posted on youtube. This will also coincide with the filming of our most popular sketches, again with plans to make them available to the wider community online.

And if you haven't heard of the Temple of Nothing and their glorious female genius, it's worth checking out their website at www.templeofnothing.com. I've been involved with the group since the early days and the first show is scheduled for 18th July at the Exeter Phoenix. Sadly, this is after I leave England so I won't be involved in that show, but there are plans for a preview to be held in the Phoenix bar next month and I'm likely to perform a piece I've written - dressed all in white of course!

Poetry in Motion

The first day of May - and as I look out of the window, the sun is bright and surrounded by blue. It's a gorgeous day!

I've been writing poetry again recently. I am always reading poetry, but over the years I have discovered that I am only interested in writing poetry when there is pain or love or melancholy in my life. A recent poem to share with you:

In the absence of you
There is only hope
And dreams
Of life
Better
Of life
Sweeter
Held at the seams.

In the absence of you
There are whispers
Longing
Fibrous
Nimble
Softly speaking
Felt not heard
Whispers of song.

In the absence of you
There are too many pieces
Ragged and broken
Moments
Edges
Closing in
Words forgotten
Remain unspoken.

In the absence of you
There is nothing
Pale tones
Breath in
No marks to hold
No heart tick
In the absence of you
It is done.

Very cathartic, writing poetry. Of all of the writing I do, this is the writing which feeds my soul and makes me feel complete.

I've also been recording sketches for radio recently. My friends Sam Morgan and Dave Rees have been successfully flogging their brilliant comedy sketch show The Sam and Dave Show to radio stations throughout the UK. They have been working with a number of talented writers and I'm excited about the prospect of 'performing' for a different audience. I will continue to work with them until I leave for Canada. If you'd like to listen to the shows, check out the current line-up on Phonic FM (www.phonic.fm 106.8fm Exeter) and Sound Art (www.soundartradio.org.uk 102.5fm Totnes). More stations to be announced soon.....

Barefaced Cheek will be filming an number of sketches from the live show to post online and will also be recording sketches for audio use in the future.

I'm desperate to get as much writing/recording/filming and submitting done before leaving, but am quickly realizing that I'm running out of time.....

Now back to work!!