Some years ago, the women's writing group I belong to booked in a series of
professional workshops, one of which was given by a performance poet. She
taught us some very useful things about voice production and breath control,
but besides that she gave us tips on performing and staging.
For example, where we were in the habit of taking it in turns to stand up
and read a poem, she would pick out a phrase from the piece, which she would
then drill three or more others to chant as a rhythmic background to the
poem. It struck me this performing method was akin to orchestration, and
must have changed the character of any poem given that treatment. It was fun
at the time, but we certainly haven't stuck with it as a reading technique.
We do sometimes give carefully-chosen poems the choral treatment, though.
joanna
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Cudmore" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2005 4:59 PM
Subject: Re: Poem/Play (was Re: Pinter on Blair et al.)
>I really can't bear actors reading poetry. It's a strange thing, mentally
> extending that to anyone other than the poem's author: in public spaces I
> find that almost as bad (even when the reader is an accomplished poet),
> but
> in private, conversational spaces the vibe is completely different.
>
> P
>
>> Nevertheless, I have also had my own poems butchered by
>> actors trying too hard -- at something....
>>
>> Doug
>
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