Texts / solo perfomances
Word sketches of the human figure. Nudes in words. Poetic life studies. Much of the material completed at artists' life study groups between 1997 and 2006, and more recently as one-to-ones. These are texts that respond directly to the figure in the same way that a visual artist would seek to represent the subject / object with marks on paper or canvas but using language and metaphor as the medium.
Photo © Josh Pulman, 2006
Research and development of performance possibilities
During 2006, MCH worked with Matthew Scott of 1157performancegroup to develop a more theatrical/physical approach to performing the material. The outcome of this collaboration was Body Language - notes on bodies and looking - a work-in-progress preview performance at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead, ,July 2006. This R&D phase has continued to inform subsequent performances of Life Studies.
Readings and other performances
Life Studies remains a continually evolving body of work, selections of which have been presented or performed in various ways - as readings or cabaret performances at a range of venues from 1998 to the present day. Venues this work has been performed include The Royal Oak, Lewes (1998), The Atrium, Leeds (2006), Redroaster, Brighton (with Lol Coxhill) and Komedia Studio Bar, Brighton (with Anne Pigalle) as part of Brighton Fringe Festival 2007, Wychwood Festival 2007, Grill Room at the Café Royale, London (2007), Whitechapel Art Gallery, London (2008) and elsewhere.
What people have said
"... rude and funny and sexy" - Carole Hayman, (author of 'Ladies of Letters')
Forthcoming and recent performances
Lust (& Luxuria): an evening of extraordinary and exotic entertainments presented by the Red Velvet Curtain Cult at Whitechapel Art Gallery, London, Friday 19 September, 2008.
