Tonight at a Storytelling event at Temperance, in Leamington, I’m going to try something different.
Reading my stuff out loud is pretty new to me full stop – I’ve only done it at a couple of events, and once on radio.
Tonight’s different again – for a few reasons.
- It’s a film script. Well, in theory it could be an audio only script with a few minor adjustments and sound fx, but it’s first and foremost a film script.
- It’s an ensemble cast. Well, there’s going to be three of us performing it. (One cast member is going to have to take on two small but important roles).
- No-one but me has read it yet. At least with the other pieces I’ve read out loud, I’ve had feedback and comments, and publication before their airing. This time – no-one’s read it. Not even the other two performers…
I’m really not sure how this one is going to go down. It’s fine: it’s in a ‘safe environment’ so if it’s a disaster then no big deal. I think it’s quite good – but it’s different. Yes, there’s a twist: as a lot of my stuff has, and yes, it’s dark, dark humour, in my mind, at least. And there’s the rub…I’ve no idea whether anyone else will find it funny: I’m pretty sure they’ll be shocked by the ending – but I’ve been shocked from an electric fence before: it wasn’t much fun.
I don’t want to blow this out of proportion: it’s not The Passion of Saint Tibulus or Springtime for Hitler we’re talking about here…but it’s going to be interesting.
I guess my first litmus test will be when the actors read it…if they refuse to perform it, it’s back to a tried-and-tested-and-published-short…
Results tomorrow….