October newsletter
Autumn, at the theatre again and Amos Tutuola
Hi everyone
Happy October! I read recently that we are now entering “everyone’s” least favourite time of year. The weather is turning colder, barbecues and beer gardens are no longer good social options and the evenings are darker and darker every day.
Despite the reasons given, I actually love autumn and it’s probably my favourite time of year. Yes, it’s colder, but that means more opportunities to get all hyggelig with candles, blankets and hot chocolate (do not put the blankets near the candles!). As a vegetarian, barbecues are a nightmare anyway, with food being prepared separately from everyone else’s and then them good naturedly eating all of the veggie food, because it’s “quite nice actually isn’t it?” and leaving you with one onion bhaji and a slice of garlic bread, which is always the crust because no one wants it.
And, let’s be honest, nobody actually likes beer gardens and prior to the smoking ban, they were always empty, I’m certain of it… I would also much rather it was dark at night than too hot to sleep.
Obviously autumn has it’s downsides. It tends to rain more (though the Great British summer has plenty of precipitation) and generally my arthritis plays up more in the colder months, but then my PoTS is worse in the warmer ones, so it’s all swings and roundabouts.
A favourite part of autumn of mine is celebrating Samhain and Halloween, remembering those we have loved in our past and reflecting on those warm memories of love that we’re so lucky to have. A small group of my friends treat it like Christmas and we exchange gifts every year - this year I’ve been particularly lucky to get a beautiful statue of Poe’s Raven.
It’s also a great time of year to batch cook soups and stews to warm you up on the cold evenings and every year I go on a mission to save pumpkin, as 18,000 tons of pumpkin are thrown away annually in the UK alone, which is such a shame in our current climate of food banks, especially as they are really delicious in soups, pasta dishes and even brownies!
I also love how beautiful the world is at this time of year, with brightly coloured leaves scattered across our boring grey pavements and beautiful sunsets on the beach near where I live.
I really think that there’s a lot to love about autumn if you take the time to look for it and appreciate the season, and I didn’t even mention a particular coffee that apparently no one can live without this time of year (never drunk one, never wanted to…).
January though, that can get stuffed!
Take care,
Donna
What He Said
I’m delighted that What He Said will be reperformed on Saturday 19 November (International Men’s Day) at the Casa Theatre, Liverpool. This time we will be raising money for Prostate Cancer UK and the performance will include a preview of What She Said, which will be performed next year.
Seventy years of books
My last newsletter was of course written before the death of Queen Elizabeth II. I will still be working through seventy years of books and have made a start with the Palm-Wine Drinkard by Amos Tutuola. It’s been a really interesting read so far and I love the folklore elements. I’d love it if you read along and let me know some of your favourite things from 1952.
Sea Invisible
Over on Sea Invisible, my newsletter about living with invisible disability, I’ve been celebrating World Mental Health Day and listing some ways you can care for your own mental health and that of others around you.
Molly’s corner
Meow. I’m a little bit happier living here now, except for the one time I was accidentally shut in a cupboard I apparently shouldn’t have been in in the first place. I rule this house and will go wherever I please, cupboard or not. I also watched Rope with the humans which was very good. I particularly enjoyed the references to the cat and the mouse, though apparently it was a metaphor. Next door’s black and white cat is becoming irritating and keeps coming to the house to try and talk to me and I’m not in the slightest bit interested. It also turns out he’s not from next door at all, but instead a well-fed stray who seems to belong to the whole street, hence him thinking he can just waltz in here and eat my bikkies. I am practicing my hiss until he gets the message. In the meantime, I am very cross because it is raining and I am wet, so I am going to go eat some duck now. Purr.
What I’m reading
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Things that have caught my eye
Northern Film Orchestra presents Frankenstein - Live! Am really looking forward to this showing of the iconic Boris Karloff horror film based on Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel accompanied by a live orchestra. The 1931 movie was produced without music, so Michael Shapiro has put together a 70-minute haunting score to be performed by a chamber orchestra which will add another dimension and emotional impact to the viewing experience.
Beautiful video about discovering the wonder of our world The voiceover is in French, but there is a translation in the comments if you don’t speak it.
Why the Best Way to Get Creative Is to Make Some Rules An interesting article about routines in the creative process. I’ve tried, many times, to create and work to a writing routine, but between my full-time job and theatre work, they just never work out, and so I continue to write in stolen snatches of time, often while something else (potato in the oven, pan soaking in the sink) is going on in the background. I am a member of Debbi Voisey’s Time to Write club, which really helps me as having other people holding me to account always makes me feel like I’m letting them down, rather than myself, even though realistically I know it makes little difference to their writing whether I’m there or not! This newsletter was written entirely in those sessions. Like the friend mentioned in the above article, I often do need someone to tell me to sit down and work, even if they don’t realise that’s what they’re doing!
Kate Bush Shatters U.K. Records as ‘Running Up That Hill’ Reaches No. 1 I love Kate Bush. We share a birthday. She wrote Wuthering Heights after discovering she shared a birthday with Emily Bronte and sharing a birthday with Emily is the best thing ever. Running Up That Hill is sadly petering out of radio play again, though I did hear Babooshka earlier. I may or may not start a campaign to get Wuthering Heights the Christmas No 1 spot, because our birthday is far enough away from Christmas for us to deserve a massive present. Also, Christmas on the Moors is awesome. And freezing! Let me in! It's me, I'm Cathy, I've come home, I'm so cold. See, very festive…
The Hardmans' House A 1950s time capsule of Liverpool life and creativity, the home and photographic studio of the Edward Chambré and Margaret Hardman is open on Fridays and Saturdays until 29 October. I’m really excited to go and see this beautiful historical home.
Eurovision 2023! Next year Eurovision will be taking place in Liverpool, where I live. My friend is a huge fan so we’re hoping to get along and see the show in person which he’ll absolutely love if we can get the tickets. Something different for a Saturday night!