Virginia Betts is a tutor, writer poet and actor from Suffolk. An eternal optimist and mid-life-creative advocate, she’d like to point out that it’s never too late to live the dream. And with this month’s blog, some ink to inspire and ignite your creative fire.
What’s the best thing about a Leap Year? Go on, think about it. If you are like me and constantly on the go, trying to squeeze everything into days that don’t seem long enough, the best thing could be that you get an extra day in February this year. That means one whole day to do whatever you want or need to do. Oh yes, and you ladies can also propose. Although, what you propose is up to you! Whatever you do, or propose to do, use it wisely as I’ve got lots of ideas for you leading into March.
First, the monthly round-up of my adventures.
My husband and I proposed that we would do ‘Dry February’. Yes, it seems a cop-out because it’s a short month, but my excuse is that I have birthday in January and then we had that Glamping thing… However, I also forgot that on the 3rd and 4th we would be celebrating with our Christmas present from my parents: A trip to see the marvellous play, The Motive and the Cue, starring Johnny Flynn, Mark Gatiss, and Tuppence Middleton as Burton, Gielgud and Taylor respectively. That meant two nights in London. So, it was to be 4th of February to the 4th of March and donate the money saved to a worthy cause whilst getting all the healthy benefits too.
However, ‘the play’s the thing’, so back to that. The Motive and The Cue is a play by Jack Thorne, directed by Sam Mendes. We were so very lucky to be able to see it from near front row seats in the stalls. I’m a huge fan of Mark Gatiss’ work and love seeing him perform live. I really enjoy seeing actors playing real people, so naturally I wanted to see these portrayals very much. I’m fascinated by the story of how Sir John Gielgud directed the truculent Richard Burton in Hamlet in 1964 and Richard Burton remains one of my favourite ‘distinctive voice’ actors. (If anyone has the original LP of War of the Worlds they’ll understand). Anyway, the play did not disappoint. I was totally wowed by it! The relationships were so clearly defined and carefully crafted. Flynn was Burton; Gatiss was Gielgud; his Hamlet soliloquy was exquisite. The glamourous and entrancing Middleton made me forget that it wasn’t Elizabeth Taylor right there in front of me. Egotistical Tantrums, Oedipal complexity, distance, and connection – these were all part of Burton’s journey in finding his unique take on theatre’s most coveted and challenging role. The intricacies of the rehearsal process were familiar to me and I’m sure intriguing to all. The Burton-Gielgud Hamlet became one of the most successful productions ever. Burton was a miner’s son, but he becomes a Prince, symbolically lit by the footlights, with Zadok the Priest as the closing soundtrack. It was an overwhelming theatrical experience. The run at Noel Coward Theatre will finish soon, but I am certain it will move on, so if you can go and see it, or are interested to watch it on National Theatre at home, I’m sure there will be an opportunity, and I recommend it. I also recommend a stay at The Strand Palace Hotel, where if you search carefully on one of booking apps, you can get a luxury room in the heart of Covent Garden for a cheaper price than a Premier inn and pretty much always enjoy early check-in and an upgrade.
The week after the play, I was off to Norwich for a night to attend an 80’s night at the Airport Holiday Inn. Back before Christmas, my friend, Kaz, attended a bingo night and won 10 tickets to an 80s party event this February. Naturally, I felt it was my duty to accompany her. We all decided to make a night of it by staying over at the hotel and enjoyed a swim and dinner before we changed into our 80s clothes. The Holiday Inn was very cheap but also good quality with an excellent gluten free range of food for coeliacs like me. My choice of clothing was early 80s, with an authentic T-shirt! We had a banging night, and it was almost like being back in the 80s, but with bags more confidence and attitude than the young me possessed in the real decade. Now that is when getting older works in your favour. I hit the sack at 3am and managed to chat for at least another hour. What goes on in Norwich stays in Norwich my friends, but I can’t have been too annoying as my friend, Katy, said that she’d brave a room-share again. If you fancy a little bit of riotous retro fun, I recommend these nights run by Retro Party Experience.
Now, several people have contacted me keen to let you know about the many creative events and activities available around the locality – ones I attend as often as I can! I am delighted that there is so much going on in our area. There are places to attend other regular meetings and events where you can write or perform your work at an open mic. It makes you realise how amazing our arts scene is in our local community and what a crucial role it plays, touching the lives of so many, in so many different ways. So, in no particular order, I’d love to spotlight some of the things you can attend, join in with, and be inspired by. Maybe see you there?
If you fancy picking up your quill, Katy Ward, runs the Wolsey Writers, who meet regularly on Saturday mornings. She has the low down on many events, competitions and industry activities for writers of any level and experience. It’s a friendly group with great prompts, offering peer critiques, discussion and performances. Katy facilitated the INK writing forum I attended, and it was excellent for creating new scripts. We may be able to put some of the scripts on show for an evening, so watch this space! And The INK Festival, which is showcasing new writing talent in script form, has tickets for April on sale now.
Amy Wragg hosts ‘Get on Your Soapbox’ and has been working professionally in the field of spoken and written word and facilitating live performances for almost 2 decades. Her last Gig was on 1st February at The Steamboat Tavern in Ipswich, where she hosted for an impressive 14 performers and writes about the night in her daily blog. Amy is so supportive and generous; her knowledge of living poets who perform seems to be unrivalled and she has worked with many well-known local acts, such as Ed Sheeran and Luke Wright. She’s never applied for funding, but she’s just started a soapbox membership, Soapbox People. Find out how to join by clicking the link – it’s well worth it – you even get her legendary Zines regularly. But there’s a whole raft of professional support to be had for new or established artists. Just being in the audience is the best fun. Check out the website and Facebook to find out when the next gigs are coming up. She’s keen to remind you that International Women’s Day is coming up and to look out for the events surrounding it! Amy herself is a talented poet and although she ‘won’t tell you who to vote for’, she wins mine for applauding the spoken word in all its rainbow hues.
I have just attended The Klinker Club at Cuppa in Felixstowe on 17th February. It was founded in 1982 by musician, poet and film maker, Hughie Metcalfe and he offers you eclectic mixed-genre shows. He is based in Suffolk and London and his vision is to provide a haven where you can perform and experiment, sharing your work in a space ‘without boundaries’. You simply MUST experience it – it is truly avant-garde and weirdly cool. How can I describe the experience of a Klinker night? I suppose it is a bit like walking right into the middle of one of Andy Warhol’s dreams. First offering of the night was young poet, Cheyenne, who speaks visually and authentically about love and life; after that gentle beginning came The Rude Mechanicals with Miss Roberts. I’d seen the artist in the queue at the bar earlier, looking quiet and unassuming. Her stage persona, in red dress, and decked out in a 17th Century style wig and scary eyes was a different matter altogether. It was pretty punk rock I can tell you, and I loved the line ‘Today I consider Escalators – stair impersonators!’ All the acts were great, including the indomitable Hughie himself, but I particularly liked Jane Daley on the accordion and NILS the DJ (from London) because they started the party rocking in two very distinct ways. Also, a shout out to Dan the story-telling man. Great fun. Cuppa has an eccentric underground feel to it; great vibe, and good food and drink. Find out a lot more about the Klinker nights here. They have to be seen to be believed.
Justine de Mierre AKA Lady J is another local artist, who has recently moved her popular Tales and Tunes events online. The last one showcased poetry, music and storytelling and lost nothing by being online. Plus, Justine hosts Lady J’s Springtime Marvels live regularly at The Two Sisters Arts Centre in Trimley. The tickets for the next one, on 15th March at 7.30pm, are on sale at Ticket Soure.co.uk.
The work of local poet and film maker, Christina Jane (CJ) definitely deserves a look. Christina Jane has experience with writing, visual arts and performing arts including singing, dancing and acting in theatrical and filmed performances. As a performance artist and actor, she has embodied her poetry in films which have garnered critical acclaim and won over 80 Film Festival Awards across the world at last count. Her Film ‘Invisible’ contains her poem of the same name and three original artworks she drew as a Digital Artist. Plus, she’s had countless other poems published, worked on other films, and performed in many productions. She’s also a regular speaker an advocate on neurodiversity. I recommend her work thoroughly and hope to see her perform in one of my own poetry events.
The Bay Tree Café in Bury St Edmunds plays host to a shelf of local authors’ books. Rachel Churcher (who co-founded the Foreword Festival, the first UK Literary Fringe Festival, with Jackie Carriera) has just placed mine there if you want a sample of poetry or scary stories with your coffee. If you are a local author, it’s definitely worth getting in touch. Rachel and Jackie are both successful local authors and have just hosted two local author book fair events, one of which I was involved in, and the most recent being Love your local authors. And the festival will be going ahead again this year.
The Suffolk Writer’s Group, founded by Mai Black, is growing even bigger, and chattier – you can join the Facebook group if you search Suffolk Writers and contact Mai on her website for more information. On the Facebook page you can discover lots of valuable information, share and chat about writing and of course you can check out the new anthology, A Tapestry of Poetry, which I am delighted to be included in. They do meet in person too, usually at Cuppa in Felixstowe, and also there is a regular poetry café and open mic at The Two Sisters in Trimley. The last one was 15th February.
There are other writing groups around the area too: Local author, Ruth Leigh, tells me that all are welcome at ‘Scripted Development’, who meet in the 1975 Wine bar in Woodbridge on the last Thursday of every month from 7–10pm; Local writer Russell Webb has told me about his group who meet at Darsham Village Hall IP17 3FA, on Monday afternoons from 2-4pm monthly. You can catch Russell giving a talk about his book Love Beyond Love on Monday 26th February at Framlingham Library at 7pm. The David Lloyd Book Club, for members and their guests is now growing. I head it up roughly every last Wednesday of the month from 7.30 in the adult lounge in Ipswich. It’s a vibrant and friendly group. NEXT MEET is on a Thursday 29th February (it is occasionally a moveable feast) and we have been reading The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes. Just turn up – I can add you to the What’s app group. I think an afternoon tea may be on the menu, arranged by the wonderful Jade on the DL team.
Finally, for this month’s dip into the creative goody-bag, Urban Pigs Press, the exciting new Indie Press have just released a preview of the cover for their charity anthology, Hunger. Being familiar with the boys Bam Barrow and James Jenkins, two Kings of Urban Grit and Noir fiction I gave a shout out to in January, I am really excited to see how the authors who submitted interpreted the theme. It’s bound to be dark and boundary-breaking stuff – I know my piece, Feeding Frenzy, is. The good cause these talented writers and Indie Publishers are donating to is FIND – Families In Need for Suffolk, and the release date will be confirmed shortly.
In fact, local author James Jenkins’ book is next up for discussion on 24th February (5pm) at the popular Dial Lane Book Group and I will certainly be attending and reporting back in March. I’m looking forward to seeing the reactions to the hard-hitting crime debut that is Parochial Pigs. Dial Lane’s Andrew Marsh loves this book and so do I. It’s not for the faint-hearted but it does come with a healthy dose of black humour and characters we all sort of know, even if we don’t want to admit to it. If you like your Irvine Welsh, and your Tarantino movies, it will be right up your street. Dial Lane books always has a whole host of amazing events and book signings going on so check out their page. Andrew Marsh champions local authors and his bookshop is a truly magical place to be.
Tickets for The Primadonna Festival in Stowmarket are on sale. I first performed as an Angry Ghost from local author Mai Black’s book there, ("30 Angry Ghosts", by Mai Black) and last year I was in the barn and on the main stage performing my poetry. There were loads of workshops and spaces to write, and although it champions women artists and writers, all are welcome. I urge you to support this festival and show the council that arts cuts have a greater cost to the community than any money they might imagine they are saving. One event that particularly stands out in my memory from last year is just such an example. It was poetry, stories and music from Recovery’s Got Talent, a showcase of work by people in recovery from all types of substance use. And what a goldmine of talent it produced. It was supported by Turning Point, and it was the perfect example of just how far the arts reaches into different areas of the community. Arts and literature can save lives.
Finally, as to my own ongoing adventures into March, I’m awaiting a release date for my new poetry book, That Little Voice, and I’ve got well over the halfway point of my punk noir novel, Burnt Lungs and Bitter Sweets, which is it’s getting darker and funnier as I go along. Rehearsals for the one act play I have been involved in writing begin soon, and I will update you on that as it goes along. The whole thing revolves around one week in the charts in 1986, and the concept was created and curated by local playwright, Ryan Curtis. The first read-through was amazing, and the show definitely looks set to be a hit.
I’m also beginning intensive rehearsals for Pat and Ron: Writers in Crime, by popular Felixstowe playwright Suzanne Hawkes, with Black and White Productions. Tickets are already on sale at Ticket Source.co.uk. I am looking forward to playing Patricia Highsmith, creator of The Talented Mr Ripley. We seem a bit similar, except I draw the line at keeping snails in my bra…
So, I hope I can inspire you to unleash your inner creativity this month. You might ask where do I get my boundless energy, or find the time to do these things?
Here’s a couple of top tips:
• It is ok to take some time for yourself. Even write it down – schedule it in. Thirty minutes, an hour, or an evening doing something you enjoy, or always wanted to try, is allowed, and let the washing mountain go to hell! I’ve lately been writing down a schedule for my writing every day and I have been sticking to it. I can then use other time to focus on more mundane things I need to do as well without flapping about it. Also writing is great therapy. Write anything! Surprise yourself.
• Do some exercise every day, preferably in the morning. Anything. A walk is calming, away from the house. I get up early so I can swim and walk. I think a lot whilst doing this, and I get lots of creative ideas. Nature inspires my poetry too.
• Make a playlist to inspire you. I make playlists for my books and their characters. I love blasting out ‘Anarchy in the UK’ when I rock up to Sainsbury’s. Age is just a number…
• Observe. I take and twist so much from everyday life to use in my writing. I have a sign at home which states ‘Careful, or you’ll end up in my novel!’ Well, you might, but you won’t recognise yourself so don’t worry. I’ll have re-written ‘you’ as a criminal or something…
Books to try this February:
"The Coach Trip", by local author, Morag Clark. I am halfway through this so I will give it a proper review in March. However, I thought I’d give it a mention because I am enjoying it. It’s really funny and a great read so far. She has just released it on audiobook, which I have also been listening to.
"The Prison Doctor", by Dr Amanda Brown. I bought this for my husband who used to work as a prison nurse, and I pinched it for a quick read. If you enjoy real-life medical tales, you will love this. It’s shocking and funny and very true-to-life apparently. Also reminds me of my son’s face about 10 years ago when I said ‘Kev will be home later from the prison.’ I can see how that sounded to a youngster…
"The Light That Bends Round Corners", by local author, Alexandra Carey. It’s her debut novel and it’s getting rave reviews. It’s next on my reading list and I will review it in March. If you want to meet the author, she has an event in March coming up at Author Book Club, 7pm at Vela, Saxmundham on Friday 22nd March. Call Woodbridge Books for tickets on 01394 382 382.
"The Secret Millionaire’s Club" and "The Secret Burial", both by local author, Adrian Frost. I am finally about to get stuck into these as well, and I will review in a later blog. Twisty murder mysteries with a dash of humour. Looking forward to getting these signed when I next bump into Adrian!
"Intrigue at Longbourn", by local author, Gill Mather. An hilarious and entirely in-keeping Pride and Prejudice spin-off set after the happy-ever-after! Not to be missed!
Well, that’s all for February. Have a fun-packed time and go for your goals.
Love,
Virginia
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Virginia has written numerous articles and fiction, as well as two books, The Camera Obscure and Tourist to the Sun, with a third and fourth coming soon.
Feel free to contact Virginia if you have a great creative suggestion, venue or activity!