A quick plug for South East London's premier Sunday Afternoon cultural event, Pipe & Slippers, in the gorgeous Victorian pub theatre at The Ivy House. Poetry, prose, comedy and acoustic music, also full bar and chocolate cake.

Sunday 1st of June, doors open 3.00, first act 3.30, and I'm reading around 5ish. More details here:

http://www.pipeandslippers.info/whatsgoingon.html

Emma

Looks fabulous, but as I'm in Enfield with no car, probably not for me

Michelle

Sounds like a treat, and not far from me, so I'll try to get there.

Sheila

Yes, Enfield's just a little bit of a trek. Though when we get the Overground there'll be no excuse... (Well, that's what us South Londoners have been saying hopefully for years! )

Sheila, do hope you can come - it would be really nice to see you there.

Emma

Enfield is a long way, and no mistake. I don't think I've ever been there, although I'm an inveterate user of London Transport since I was awarded my OAP Freedom Pass. It's just as well, since a lot of Fringe events seem to take place there. What are the local attractions in Enfield?

Emma, I didn't identify myself yesterday as I think these things are nerve-wracking enough but I was glad to see there was such a good turn-out. I've written about it in the arts and education forum.

Sheila

Sheila, it was a good turnout - it usually is - and thanks so much for coming along, and for the piece in Arts and Ents. Did you stay for the Kora player? I thought he was wonderful.

It's a funny place, but I can't resist it because that is an original Victorian pub theatre, and I can't help imagining the music hall acts in the 1850s, before music hall got all grand and glittery, doing the rounds of it and its fellows - Peckham, Brixton, Hoxton, Camberwell...

Emma

Emma, didn't you mind those flashing lights? It was even worse when a determined flash photographer stood about five feet away and started clicking. No, I didn't stay for the last act. It seemed they were really drawing things out with those intervals and the 'DJs' although the first one was a chance to get some air. We arrived at 3pm, and left around 5.30pm.

Yes, I can see how you would like the Victorian building, with your interest in history. I can't see how else anyone would think it s suitable place for reading. OK for discos. It reminded me of the much bigger Rivoli Ballroom in Brockley where I went to a politicsl rally about five years ago. You'd probably like that.

I'm writing this in my local library, where I've borrowed an audio tape version of your book. I wonder you didn't read it yourself,although there seem to be two readers.

I'm afraid it won't add much to your coffers, but at least there's the lending rights fee.

Are you a member of Pipes and Slippers? Is it true that the performers don't get paid, as the comedienne said? I thought it was funnny when she looked at her watch and said the child-minding was costing £8.67 an hour.

I think I spotted someone in the audience who was in the same writing class as me at Goldsmiths last year.

Sheila

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My current partner was born in Camberwell and is suitably aged, so I asked him about the Music Hall. He remembers the Camberwell Palace. He didn't go in - probably he was too young - but says he remembers standing outside waiting for autographs.

Alas, the Rivoli Ballroom has been sold for development, which is terribly sad.

No, it's not paid. I wouldn't do it if it wasn't just across the park, but it all gets one's name and face about. And it's not as if it's much work to put a reading like that together, or any angst - I find that kind of gig very easy and enjoyable. They do actually get good people, and though I agree it's not a conventional literary venue, I quite enjoy the mix, and feel it gets to some people who wouldn't go to a normal bookshop or Poetry Caff reading. We did get the flashing lights turned off in the end.

I do hope you approve of the audio book of TMOL. I've only listened to a bit, but thought they did a good job, so I hope you agree. I'd love to do the reading for one one day, but I know from my Drama background that it's a more technical job than it looks (and besides, I'm seriously not good at accents...)

Emma

Emma, good news for fans of the Rivoli Ballroom. I read in one of the local newspapers today that it features in 'Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day', a film starring Frances McDormand, one of my favourite actors. She played the heavily pregnant police detective in the marvellous 'Fargo'

Here's the IMDb ref, where you can read the details:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970468/

Sheila

Oh, brilliant - maybe they'll rescue it after all! Thank you, Sheila.

(Must read that book - it sounds so delightful!)

Emma