Tongue punch presents: Mrs Death Misses Death (Spoken word & Music)

Presented by: Tom Thumb Theatre

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0	MARGATE: The Tom Thumb Theatre
P	Friday 16th November, 2018
N	7:30pm

Event information

Mrs Death Misses Death

Mrs Death Misses Death is a new major work in progress, a collaboration by poet and author Salena Godden and award-winning composer and musician Peter Coyte. It is a rousing call to arms, and a celebration of loving this life and our short time here... Because we all know a lot of dead people now.

Live on stage together, Mrs Death Misses Death, is a performance from a new book, fiction, poems and narration by Salena Godden, accompanied by breathtaking music, songs and soundscapes by Peter Coyte. This work was shared at sold-out shows at the Last Word Festival, Roundhouse, London and Blah's Big Weekend at the Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol. This autumn we will see more from this new project at The Cheltenham Literary Festival in October 2018 and The Tom Thumb Theatre, Margate in November 2018.

In April 2018 Salena was invited to stay in Bill Drummond's Curfew Tower, Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Ireland, to spend the month completing the first draft of the book. This book has been composed on the lips - written as spoken - with the use of speech and sound recordings to trigger the writing. The month retreat was supported by Neu Reekie in Scotland and The Society of Authors. Early scratch performances of Mrs Death's soliloquy 'I Know A Lot Of Dead People Now' have been included in Salena's poetry shows at special events like The Margate Bookie, Festival 23 in Sheffield and Cosmic Trigger at The Cockpit Theatre, London.

In 1997 Salena and Peter met and formed ska-punk-dub band SaltPeter. They were pioneers in late 1990’s UK poetry and spoken word - documenting poets, experimenting and producing several albums, making eclectic radio programmes, curating events and touring and performing. This new work marks 21 years of this highly original and trailblazing partnership.

The BBC have been following this work-in-progress throughout 2018. The radio documentary of Mrs Death Misses Death is scheduled for broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on December 2nd and repeated on December 8th 2018.

"The traditional death figure as a homeless, broken old black woman is surprisingly and refreshingly revolutionary. The trip-hoppy tones of Mrs Death Misses Death, this new show and novel and album ... lush and haunting." For Books Sake

"We had a little taster of Salena Godden's new work, Mrs Death Misses Death at the Bookie on Sunday night. There was much applause." Margate Bookie

"SaltPeter cook up their unique mixture of scandalous lyrics and infectious music. If you can imagine a blend of The Specials, The Blockheads, Ween and Kate Bush playing a mix of dance, rock, ska and dub then you're still only part of the way there. They make music for your feet, head, belly ... and other bits besides." BBC Radio 3, Charlie Gillet

biogs:

Salena Godden: Poet and author of literary memoir Springfield Road (Unbound) and poetry books Fishing In The Aftermath Poems 1994-2014 (Burning Eye) and Under The Pier (Nasty Little Press) Salena Godden was shortlisted for Ted Hughes Award for new work in poetry with her spoken word album LIVEwire released with independent spoken word label Nymphs and Thugs. In 2017 she was also shortlisted in the Saboteur Awards and for the Jerwood Prize. Her essay Shade was published in The Good Immigrant and published with Unbound. Her latest poetry collection Pessimism is for Lightweights, 13 pieces of Courage and Resistance, was published in July 2018 by Rough Trade Books. www.salenagodden.co.uk

Peter Coyte: Composer and artist producing work in theatre, film and installations. His recording career began in 1994 as Shape Navigator on Guerilla Records. Peter is currently a member of the experimental improvising ensemble Automatic Writing Circle. His myriad of stellar credits include: ‘The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary’ by Peepolykus, the 35th anniversary version of Educating Rita at The Liverpool Playhouse with Leanne Best & Con O'Neill, Juno & The Paycock with Niamh Cusack (Bristol Old Vic), Twelfth Night with Nicholas Woodeson & Matthew Kelly for the opening of the new Everyman Theatre, The Misanthrope by Roger McGough after Moliere, A Streetcar Named Desire, Macbeth starring David Morrissey & Julia Ford at The Everyman, Liverpool all directed by Gemma Bodinetz. www.petercoyte.com