Bare Fiction Issue 2 launch

I’m delighted/fortunate to have had a short play (“The Naked Major” – spot the subtle Goya reference) published in issue 2 of Bare Fiction Magazine, and went along to the celebratory Cardiff launch at Gwdihw café-bar.

The evening kicked off with a couple of open-mic poetry slots: from Sion Owen (pensive, Welsh-themed), and Simon King (slyly humorous). Rhian Elizabeth then read a startling extract from her Valleys-set book “Six Pounds Eight Ounces”, before issue 2 contributors Bethany Rivers and Carly Holmes provided vivid examples from their oeuvres. This was followed by Rachel Tresize giving us a story from her excellent “Cosmic Latte” collection, after which Bethany W. Pope regaled us with a selection of colourful pieces.

The second half began with another open-mic segment, John Davies giving a lively reading from his hospital-themed novella, and experienced performance poet Mark Blayney effortlessly maintaining the comic mood. Susie Wilde then offered up a selection of prose and poetry, followed by London-based May-Lan Tan reading from her acclaimed debut collection “Things To Make And Break”. Adam Horowitz then treated us to an actorly reading of his largely rural-themed verse; Tania Hershman read her issue 2 piece “Missing My Liar”, and an amusing story about biochemists at a party; and host/editor Robert Harper wrapped things up with great geniality.

An enjoyable night, with the venue’s questionable acoustics made up for by the quality of the bottled cider on offer. 

Bare Fiction - Cardiff launch

I attended the Cardiff launch of an impressive new literary magazine at the city-centre Gwdihw café bar on 29^th January – Bare Fiction, whose inaugural edition came out in December, and whose remit takes in poetry, prose, drama and journalism.

Editor and compere Robert Harper kicked off the evening with some moving poems about his late father; this was followed by readings of poetry and prose from Georgia Carys Willams, Richard Owain Roberts and Kirsten Jones. The first half was topped off with a typically rumbustious turn from local hero Boyd Clack.

Post-interval, we were treated to an open-mic session featuring Charlie Hammond, Iwan ap Huw Morgan, Jack Ayres, and a cameo from Mark Blayney (performing an homage to John Cooper Clarke). This was followed by a suite of evocative childbirth-themed poems from Lisa Parry, some prose from young novelist Dan Tyte, and an exclusive from Rachel Trezise, who read from a darkly toned story which will appear in issue 2 of the magazine. An intrusion by a homeless man turned out to be the dramatic climax of the evening – a performance by Gareth Pierce of Neil Bebber’s short play “Breathe”, which appears in issue 1.

An entertaining, inspiring couple of hours, with something to please most palates, in a lively venue (perhaps, occasionally, a little too lively). And I managed to pick up a copy of Boyd Clack’s CD “Last Bus To Porthcawl” at a bargain price.