On
e of the unique features of Apples’ work in the North East region is Scratch Club, a monthly rehearsal group where poets can try out new work in front of their peers. The club is designed to be a safe space for new and established poets alike, where they can get the detailed critique that is lacking from the average open mic night.
The format is a deliberate mixture of the informal and the challenging. It changes a little each month to keep poets on their toes – sometimes incorporating guest tutors in vocal techniques or stagecraft, sometimes featuring a theme or a page critique session, always involving the quick-fire ‘popcorn’ rehearsal itself where poets ‘pop’ and perform when they’re ready. Feedback and critique is lead by the regional co-ordinator, Kirsten Luckins, but everyone brings their attention and support to the work of their fellow-poets. Then, after an intense afternoon, a short rest before everyone performs again in front of an invited audience of theatre or performance professionals. This is where poets can get feedback from actors, dancers, drama tutors, directors and other poets.
Rowan McCabe joined Scratch Tyne in September, and was selected to take part in Take Ten New Voices in October. This is what he says about the experience of Scratching and having one-to-one mentoring for his performance:
Apples and Snakes is quickly becoming an organisation I depend upon to progress my writing. After graduating from university there were far less opportunities for me to talk to other creative people. I find that discussing work is vital to the writing process, there’s no other way to truly get a feel of the effect your choice of words is having on an audience.
Joining the scratch club sessions has been invaluable for me. Kirsten and everyone in the group has been very warm and inviting and I immediately began to feel right at home. The techniques I’ve learned to improve performance are fantastic as the performance aspect of spoken word is something I’ve never been educated in before.
The feedback I’ve received for the pieces I’ve shared has been really constructive. Nobody in the group is afraid to speak their mind and I think this promotes a healthy work environment where ideas are sometimes challenged (politely!) allowing them to develop further. On top of this other members of the group have been inspirational to me and I can see certain performers having a huge influence on the work I produce in the future.
You can watch the results of Rowan’s experience at Scratch Club in the video below. Scratch Clubs currently happen regularly in Stockton and Newcastle, and there are plans for one in Northumberland in the near future. Check out the Artist Development section of the Apples and Snakes website for dates of upcoming events, or drop Kirsten an email on kirsten@applesandsnakes.org for more info.