Thursday, November 12, 2009

Now We Are Two

Patrick Hennessey, Chris Neill, Paul Burke, Deborah Levy, Kerry Shale and Thomas Walsh.

Our second event took place last night at The Compass. Thanks to everyone who came to hear a terrific set of storytellers.

Paul Burke attended the previous TSTL and felt he ought to have a go himself. He began the evening with a cautionary tale of the dangers of being less than completely candid with one's wife, even when you have nothing significant to hide. This caused sympathetic sucking of air through teeth from all the husbands in the room. Paul works in advertising and his latest novel is "Father Frank". He was followed by author, actress and playwright Deborah Levy with one about the laxative effects of those exotic syrups sold in upmarket coffee shops. This found its mark among those people in the room who have known the unique terror of looking for a lavatory in south Kensington early in the morning. You can find out more about Deborah here. The first half was closed out in fine style by the estimable Thomas Walsh and his Pugwash colleagues who performed two songs, "It's Nice To be Nice" from his new compilation album and, for the particular benefit of Mark Ellen, The Duckworth Lewis Method's "The Age Of Revolution".

When I first asked Patrick Hennessey to come and tell a story I didn't twig the date was Remembrance Day. A former Guards officer (now a law student) and the author of "The Junior Officers Reading Club", Patrick talked movingly and hilariously about Warrant Officer Class 1 Darren "Daz" Chant. Explaining the unique relationship between an untried officer and a hugely experienced NCO, Patrick said "we called each other sir but only one of us meant it and it wasn't him." Darren Chant was killed last week along with four other British soldiers. Following this, Chris Neill rightly decided that what we all needed was a good story about a dinner party, the gender properties of different food stuffs and the guest who rang up in the middle of the night to complain. He was hilarious. You can read his blog here.

Kerry Shale MC-ed, Kate Bland got it all down on whatever they use nowadays instead of tape and quite a few people were still enjoying the food and drink at The Compass when I came back ages later to get the iPod I'd left behind. Thanks to everyone who came and contributed, whether they spoke or sat and listened. Our next event is at the same place on December 2nd. Please get in touch via truestoriestoldlive@googlemail.com if you want to know more.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

November 11th

The next True Stories Told Live event is on Wednesday, November 11th, at The Compass in Chapel Market, N1. It's 7.15 for 7.30. and we aim to be finished soon after nine. Our turns this time will include Thomas Walsh, Patrick Hennessey and Deborah Levy. Space is very limited so if you'd like to come please get in touch at truestoriestoldlive@googlemail.com.

Friday, September 18, 2009

The platform party

Here are the "turns" who told their stories at our first event at The Compass N1 on Wednesday night.

Starting on the left we have Dragan Aleksic who spoke about how he surrendered to a temptation every visitor to an art exhibition has felt; Sue Elliott, who recounted the journey to find her birth mother as documented in her book "Love Child", writer and broadcaster Andrew Collins wondering whatever happened to car-sickness, host Kerry Shale and me obscuring Chris Difford, who talked and sang about going back to Ireland with his mother.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The first True Stories Told Live

Thanks very much to the turns, Andrew Collins, Sue Elliott, Chris Difford and Dragan Aleksic, and to everybody who turned up tonight for our first event. Further evidence will be posted here as we have it. Next event takes place at the same venue on November 11th. Stay tuned.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Our first True Stories Told Live event takes place at The Compass in Islington on Wednesday September 16th. It's on the corner of Chapel Market and Penton Street. The nearest tube is Angel, although it's not far from King's Cross. There's a map here. We start at seven o'clock so that people can come straight from work and we aim to finish by nine. We'll be in the small room above the main bar/restaurant therefore numbers are limited. If you want to come please get in touch at truestoriestoldlive@googlemail.com.