And I Stood Up and Spoke
It was a dark Tuesday evening in late November.
There I was, stood in the corner of a small but perfectly formed Poruguese cafe in Bolton, about to read out loud (perform would be pushing it a bit at this stage) a couple of my own poems.
I had never had an audience before, but I could tell from the reactions all of the other performers were getting before me, that I was going to get a very warm welcome. And so it turned out.
“Natter” will always remain my favourite place to stand up and speak. Such a great place, delicious pastel de nata (hence the name of the night) and run by two beautiful people Romina Ramos and Stuart Beveridge. I didn’t really feel nervous, more excited with a hint of trepidation. I wasn’t sure how my gently rhyming ditties about being a failure at journalism and chips for tea would go down amongst some of the more serious and heart-felt offerings of the evening.
One of the things I like best about these evenings is that you are asked to write a short introduction to yourself, which either Romina or Stuart would read out before you began your slot. Mine went like this - and Romina read it perfectly:
“Chris Husband is a former professional wrestler, Masterchef finalist and pathological liar.
Recently featured on BBC Radio Manchester, Chris has a great face for Radio and a voice like a foghorn.
Author of 2 poetry collections and a children's picture book, Chris is a 60 year old foodaholic!”
Sorry, I should have mentioned the books - and the BBC Radio Manchester Upload appearance - and I will, just not yet. That will come in another blog on another day.
Anyway, the introduction seemed to set the tone - and maybe even the expectations - for my 4 minutes in the spotlight. First I launched into a poem which is supposed to be about how I could have achieved more as a journalist, but came across more as me being viciously jealous of my fellow Nelsoner and much more successful nearly colleague. Apologies to Tony Livesey (not that he will be bothered what I say).
This was swiftly followed by something which has become much more successful than I could ever have imagined - having featured on the radio (not yet! wait for it!), become a favourite at my school visits (what school visits? I hear you ask - yet more to be revealed) and recently been turned into a song by the incredible Susan Osborne.
“Chippy Tea!”
The whole cafe (well it seemed like the whole cafe to me) joined me in the chorus as I extolled the virtue of chips and pies and especially gravy. If you want to hear me read it or see Sue sing it, just look on my home page.
The crowd went wild!! Well they warmly applauded, and my cherry had well and truly been popped. I was a performer at last. Baby Christopher would be proud.
I have gone on to appear another 4 times at Natter - even having a crack at stand-up comedy (with debatable results) - and should I get the chance, I would appear as many times as they would have me.
At this point I should mention that Natter wasn’t the VERY first time I stood up and read one of my poems. The honour of that went to Manchester Art Gallery. A lovely experience organised by the brilliant Bryan Dunne, where we were asked to pick a work of art and write a poem about it - something I later learned is called an ekphrastic poem (every day’s a school day).
I chose a painting by LS Lowry and the idea was that we stood beside our chosen work of art and read out our poem to all who wanted to listen. The problem I had was that someone had booked the Lowry gallery for a wedding reception. So I couldn’t get anywhere near my chosen painting and had to make do with a small picture which I had printed on half an A4. Still, I got to read my poem and the experience of sharing my work and watching others sharing theirs is something I have cherished since then.
I have met so many amazing people over the last 18 months and had so many brilliant opportunities - including being on the radio 4 times.
Read my next blog to find out more and feel free to contact me through my website if you fancy a chat, want some cookery tips or just a quick wrestle!