Home » Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene » Mary Irivine’s Blog: Somewhat of a disappointment

Mary Irivine’s Blog: Somewhat of a disappointment

Went up to the SWC/CAA recently. Have been up to several events arranged by Scottish Writers Centre – not as often as I would like – cost of travel, travel itself, time, other commitments, bone idleness! This was the first time I came away somewhat disappointed. It was also the first time I’d attended a meeting there that I didn’t come away having learned something/heard something new. I was attracted by the blurb which advertised a storyteller.

The ‘ad’ proclaimed Lea Taylor would discuss the innovation of the creative process as it relates to Burns’ Tam O’Shanter. But basically all we got on the subject was written in the blurb. The picture also suggests a much more animated presentation.

The blurb had mentioned re-telling Tam O’Shanter into 21st century and a few of the ideas were stated but no extract! This was a very short presentation compared with other speakers. A brief account of the origin story telling would, in my opinion, have been enhanced by reference to wider/earlier origins in ancient civilisations and then zero in on Scottish/British traditions – there was certainly time.

Ms Taylor spoke most eloquently of how she resourced/researched material, interviewing, folk-lore, local traditions and song, to produce her material. She made several references to her repertoire but some examples would have enhanced the presentation. One very brief example, in response to a question on how she actually did interweave the genres/threads aspects into her storytelling, led to a snatch of song and then a sentence stating she would progress with the story alternating with the song This did not, in my opinion, answer the question in the way an actual demo would have done.

The speaker did produce a piece of art work dog worked in willow and again there was a reference to a theme she’d devised, Pedigree Tales (Tails?). But why not share just a brief exposition of the actual craft about which she was speaking – story telling? Much of what was said applied equally to writers/written work. What were the ‘special’ talents or differences required by story tellers? At one point there seemed to be somewhat disparaging remarks about story tellers who made more of a ‘performance’ with costumes and props. Suggesting her method was purer in some way? Are the dogs not props? Surely these people were only doing what she herself was doing – weaving in other arts. As we didn’t see any of her work in action it is would be unfair to comment.

There was a good turn-out on a night when most people were enjoying the balmy evening the weather offered. I felt the talk was adequate for a basic introduction to story telling and the lady was obviously very passionate about her subject/craft but for me, and I acknowledge this is a very subjective view, I felt, in common parlance, ‘short-changed.’
My main disappointment was that the lady did not actually give a demo/performance of her art/genre.

This section: Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene