SHORTFUSE
an electrifying weekly fusion of stand-up poetry and spokenword
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Coming soon...
We are often asked where it is possible to obtain books, magazines and CD's of the poets, performers and writers that we feature on SHORTFUSE nights. And due to the way that bookshop chains and poetry operate at opposite ends of a scale the answer we usually give is either: a) The next time you see the poet. b) At SHORTFUSE nights, where we try and keep a selection of books, magazines and CD's for sale. So, we thought we would use this section to review various publications and detail how to get hold of them, and more importantly for the poets whose work it is, where to send the money. But, until then, if you have seen a poet you like, and you want to see more please just e-mail us and we will do our best to either find you a copy of what you are after or put you in touch directly. |
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3.4.06 15:58 |
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Website of the Week #16 Cultural Treachery is a badge making service run by Steve Prince, who along with Sue Prince ran the formidable and much-missed Last Chance Saloon in Waterloo: a shop/gallery space dedicated to underground underground culture, art, clothes, music and literature. Badges are still for the cool people - not those 'trendy wristbands' - and trust me, you will not find a better quality, quick turn around, value for money service than Steve is providing. |
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3.4.06 16:00 |
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SHORTFUSE THEME SONG SHOWDOWN A few weeks ago I was talking to our reclaimed resident DJ David Bush about how all long running TV shows have their own distictive theme tune played at the start of each section of the show. SHORTFUSE has been running every week for over 5 1/2 years, and we need a theme song. Every week leading up to our final show of 2005 - which will be held on Thursday 15th December and will be our Xmas Special SHORTFUSE Poetry Idol Rival Idols 2 - we are auditioning three different songs. The audience's favourite potential theme song each week will go forward to the ultimate SHORTFUSE Theme Song Showdown (oh yes) held on the Xmas Special. And we will use the winning song to intro the show every week...forever, or until I get bored of it. Whichever is the sooner. So, is there any song you think would make a good SHORTFUSE theme tune? Or what first 30 seconds of a song do you want to make people hear everyweek? Send us your suggestions, bring us your records and CD's, come and make noise every week for your favourite, come and stamp your feet at the Xmas Special. Poetry has never been so democratic. Or so frivolous. The weekly winners so far: 1) How soon is now by Hundred Reasons. (Originally by The Smiths) 2) Dr Who by Orbital. 3) Growing on me by The Darkenss. 4) Solomon Bites The Worm by The Bluetones. 5) Waiting for my man by the Velvet Underground. 6) Subterranean Homesick Blues by Bob Dylan. 7) (unknown) (some kinda mixed up 60's electro circus music) 8) Chicken Payback by The Bees. |
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3.4.06 16:06 |
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Poetry Idol 8 will be hosted by: ‘A natural performer, witty, inventive, stylish and original’ - Rob Newman ‘Consistently original and accessible’ – Chortle + discs of danceness spun by DJ DAVID BUSH Doors: 8.30pm. Admission: £5 waged / £3 concessions. SOME SHOWS DO SELL OUT - so, if there is a show you really don't want to miss our advice is to reserve tickets with us in advance. Just email your full name, the number of tickets you require, and a contact telephone number to: tickets@shortfuse.co.uk. We will hold them for you on the date of the show, they will be available for collection upon payment at the door between 8pm and 8.30pm. |
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3.4.06 16:10 |
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NATHAN PENLINGTON|
Light Trespass by Nathan Penlington Light Trespass by Nathan Penlington I am the tactician and have plotted carefully cross hatched on squared paper, removed from my maths book centre, the position of every lamppost in our street. Three compass drawn circles spaced neatly at 2cm intervals surround each one marking the area of: the brightest light; the approximate edge of shadow; and the estimated mean of torch range, calculated after we carry out an extensive test. Standing in a line facing the British Legion wall we replace the weak batteries with new ones, turn them on and walk backwards stopping when our ever increasing circles no longer illuminate the grey concrete. I am stopped nearest the wall, the hand dynamo torch I’ve borrowed from my brother who 'forgot' to return it to the Scout leader after summer camp is good for short bursts but hurts your hand over a long period. Nicky hasn’t got a torch but has brought his Viewmaster™ projector. On first try, the large image of Popeye although impressive, isn’t bright enough, but with the cartridge removed and a hand covering the slot the ability to focus the beam more than makes up for it. The best torch is Chelty’s. He can cross the road and further if it wasn’t for the load-bay of the old dairy blocking his backwards footsteps. He doesn’t say where he got it, and we don’t ask him. The particular lamppost has been selected for three key reasons: a) Its sensitivity - it is always the last on and the first to turn itself off. b) Its isolation - it is sandwiched between two others with blown bulbs. c) Its proximity to the trees on the traffic island and the fact that, if given a choice, dogs prefer to urinate on nature than street furniture. On the arranged night we meet straight after tea, breath hanging in chipbutty clouds in the lightly smoked air. torches - check batteries -check dark clothes – check tin foil – check It is hard to tell exactly where the sensor is but we know it is not within the range of the nearest circle, and so to increase the effectiveness of our plan we spread a roll of tin foil shiny side up to cover as much of the ground with reflectiveness as we can. Foil spread, we take our positions. Me on the gatepost of the For Sale house adjacent to the lamppost functioning as short support bursts of light and as lookout. Nicky stands on the wall focusing his beam with facescrewed intensity of purpose and illumination. While Chelty takes position towards the top of the traffic island tree transforming himself into a lighthouse a warning to passing cars of its concrete perimeter. A count of one two three torch flashes from me and we begin, Chelty and Nicky direct their beams to the top of the lamppost. In the confusion of the first burst of light the bulb flickers. I squeeze my torch as hard and as fast as I can and send my beam skittering up the post to meet theirs. Through the concentration I can hear in the silence of the light the buzz of electricity and anticipation another flicker we hold our beams steady for another 30 40 50 seconds then darkness. For a moment, through our beams of light joined at the summit, glittering down from the night sky the stars shine brighter, a ray of starlight arrives tired after a thousand year journey illuminates us with some difficulty, and for nine seconds Chelty, Nicky and I feel the enormity of the universe and our place within it. © Nathan Penlington |
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3.4.06 16:11 |
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...all roads lead somewhere
"The best UK stand up poets" - Hull Daily Mail Paul Lyalls, Dean Wilson and Nathan Penlington, retrace their Northern roots through a fusion of stand-up poetry, performance comedy and spokenword. What results is a show about cultural and social identity by turns poignant, poetic and very, very funny.
Originally born in Goole, East Yorkshire, for something he didn’t do. Paul is now the charismatic host of London's other top weekly spokenword night Express Excess and effortlessly weaves brilliantly funny poems, stories and stand up humour with a diverse range of subjects into a rich and rewarding performance. 'Playfully comic' - Glasgow Herald 'Has a keen eye for the absurd...his views on life are poignant' - The Daily Mail  Dean WilsonHailing from Hull, in East Yorshire, this is writing with attitude and edge, with a firm grasp of the language and poetry of local vernacular, punctuated with a strong and unique sense of the absurdity and humour of the everyday.
Anglo-welsh Nathan Penlington spent his early years as a temporary Bingo caller and boy magician in Rhyl, North Wales, before moving to London just after his 18th birthday. The resulting side-stepped view means he easily and skillfully shatters the myths that surround poets and poetry. Seamlessly fusing comedy, storytelling, audience participation and visual props with writing that is intelligent, accessible and entertaining into literary cabaret.
"a young turn of promise" - John Hegley "sensation" - The Guardian "set to put poetry right on the cutting edge" - Hackney Gazette "…a unique style of stand up poetry and magic" - Rhyl Visitor The first leg of the SHORTFUSE ALL ROOTS NORTH TOUR hit the road at the end of February 2005, and included shows in Beverley, London, Lincoln, Hull and Guisborough. ALL ROOTS NORTH is now available for future bookings, and will consist of a 90 mintue show, plus an interval according to requirements. Promotional artwork and images can be supplied ready for you to add your own logo. For more information and booking details contact John Bush - telephone: 020 8536 0652 or e-mail: info@shortfuse.co.uk |
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3.4.06 16:12 |
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Paul Lyalls
Nathan Penlington|
If my life hadn't turned out differently Nathan Penlington's debut solo show has just completed a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2005, gaining some great reviews and lovely audiences: ‘««««’ - Hairline (click here for full review)
‘«««««’ – edfringe.com (click here for full reviews)
‘Fans of Morrissey, Jarvis Cocker and Simon Armitage will recognise Nathan Penlington’s whimsical poetic evocations from the North of the Watford gap. He points out he’s not a comedian, but there’s humour which touches the same place, and he has the talent with words to successfully open his horizons in future’ – The List ffice ‘consistently original and accessible’ – Chortle (click here for full review)
‘This is stand up poetry, but, as you might guess from the title, it has little in common with Eminem or Murray Lachlan Young. Indeed, Nathan Penlington begins with an amusing musical piece that debunking the myth that poets live, or think they live, a rock’n’roll lifestyle. And although he is skinny and wears spectacles, Penlington is also not a younger version of John Hegley…this is a selection of intriguing and quite daring free verse leavened with gentle, self-effacing chit-chat and even a little magic…Penlington clearly knows that real poetry can work better in small doses, particularly when placed in a light hearted context’ – Metro ‘fantastic’ – Three Weeks
If my life hadn't turned out differently is available for festivals, one off shows and touring. For futher information please contact: info@shortfuse.co.uk |
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3.4.06 16:12 |
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