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Fun fact: watching a live theatre performance can synchronise your heartbeat with other people in the audience, regardless of whether you know them or not. [source]
There is something special about experiencing something as part of a group. As you may have noticed from my recent subs, I am becoming ever more fascinated with the concept of community; how they are formed, how they are sustained, and how many warp, fluctuate, and dissolve across culture and time, particularly since the birth of the internet.
Although physical communities appear to be lessening in the West, I am often reminded that they are there, and when we come together, it is a beautiful and powerful thing. Whether that be in the form of protest, or experiencing a performance as part of an audience. Over the last month, I have been present in a lot of live spaces — performing in a play, going to the theatre, and running poetry events, including my night Off The Chest. I’m thankful for the fact that I get to work in these spaces. Experiencing art as part of a collective consciousness is an energising feeling. Like hearts beating to the same rhythm, emotions, too, are contagious — I am always more likely to laugh or be moved by a performance when experiencing it as part of an audience.
I only learnt the fact I cited at the start of this piece last month, but it came at a fortuitous time. Observing the world lately, I’m aware of how we humans cohabitate spaces every day, yet remain fragmented, due to how we (more often than not) sit and consume things in isolation, rather than as a collective; hearts beating out of rhythm. But having experiences as part of a physical group naturally syncs us up. Not just mentally and emotionally, but physically too. Scientifically proven. (The poet in me is desperate to break into some earnest verse about this fact… but I’ll hold back for now…).
Even if we don’t all agree or respond in the same way, being part of a crowd creates debate, as well as unity. I think this is more important now than ever, trapped in the social-media-grind-culture-rat race that we are. It’s true that nowadays, many of us are increasingly less likely to consume things as part of an audience; this works to the advantage of political parties and corporations, who often seek to divide us. But harnessing our collective consciousness, no matter how different we may seem, is an empowering thing. Sure, crowds aren’t for everyone, but we humans are social beings, and in a time when loneliness and isolation are ever-present, environments that foster connection can have an incredible impact on mental health and make us realise the common ground so many of us share.
And now for a seamless segue into opportunities for you to be part of a collective consciousness… by coming to my events! (Yes I am aware how culty that sounds, but I’m going with it…)
EVENTS
23rd June, 6.30pm: Just Write It, Deptford Lounge
Calling all writers! Come join us to write for an hour, share for an hour at Deptford Lounge. If you’re ever feeling lonely in your writing, or that being in a room full of other writers tapping away helps you get those motor neurons firing, then this is the space for you. As always, it is pay what you decide; book now.
7th July 7pm: Everything Poetry Night, Headline Set
I’ll be performing a headline set of poems at this wonderful night hosted by poet extraordinaire Héloïse de Satgé. Expect new poems! Taking place at the Walrus in Lambeth, book here.
(Okay, now I actually have to write the poems…)
Off The Chest: July Events
6th July 4:45pm: Love Supreme Festival, Bands & Voices Stage
I’ve been attending Love Supreme since I was 16, when I’d nick my dad’s beer and leg it into the woods. But now, I’m a fully grown adult who can buy her own beer AND host Off The Chest at the Bands & Voices Stage! We’ll be bringing you the freshest line-up of wordsmiths fusing poetry with music, including acclaimed free-style rapper GRAMSKI, plus poet Kofi Achina, and one final act to be announced soon. I’ll also be sharing poems and hosting alongside my partner in poetic crime, Iftikhar Latif. Stay tuned to @offthe_chest on Instagram for more announcements coming soon.
24th July, 7:30pm: Off The Chest at Omnibus Theatre, London.
After months out of the big smoke, Off The Chest will return to London for the first time this year! This time, we welcome a headline feature from one of my absolute idols, the internationally renowned poet and playwright INUA ELLAMS! As always, I’ll be co-hosting. Keep an eye on our socials and the Omnibus website to see feature announcements. Book Now.
Back of the Net: July Screenings
From Lewes to LA (and back again!): My short film, Back of the Net, will be making its LA Premiere next month, followed by its third showing in Lewes for the Women’s Euro Finals, this time at their football club’s Dripping Pan. It was the triumph of the Lionesses at the Women’s Euros 2022 that inspired this short film; now, with the Women’s Euros approaching, eyes are back on the Lionesses. We felt there was no better time to showcase the film.
This month, we were excited to announce that Declan Lowney (director of the little-known show TED LASSO) has come on board as one of the film’s executive producers. In other news, last month, we picked up our fifth award for the film – Best Supporting Performer for the brilliant Maureen Casey.
19th July, 12pm: Lumiere Cinema, Beverly Hills
Presented by Sandro Monetti, Back of the Net will make its LA Premiere next month. If you happen to be cruising through Cali, drop in at Beverly Hills to see it on the big screen.
27th July: Lewes Football Club, The Dripping Pan
Lewes FC have been a big supporter of Back of the Net from the start. Lewes also so happens to be the town I grew up in, and the first place the film screened (at Depot Cinema). The film will be shown on Lewes FC’s big screen in the stadium at 4pm, after their friendly match and directly before the Women’s Euros Final. Lewes FC are big champions of women’s football (and the only football club in the world to pay men and women equally).
Back of the Net will also be available to watch online in July for a limited period. You can keep up-to-date with everything by following Back of the Net’s Instagram.
WRITING PROMPT OF THE MONTH
Each month, I will give a new writing prompt for you to respond to, with words to include to push you to your limits. Ready, set…
✍🏼 In my former life, I…
🚀 irredecent, reverb, zebra.
Books for sale!
Trade
Playtext by Ella Dorman-Gajic
★★★★★ “Bold and brilliantly written… fierce, unapologetic and gripping, Trade is a vital and timely piece of theatre.” - WEST END BEST FRIEND
Buy the playtext of my critically acclaimed play Trade at the discounted price of just £6.99 via my website.
Spaces of Significance
We ran out of stock last month! So, due to high demand, we are ordering MORE. You can buy these in person at any upcoming Off The Chest event or pre-order now via paying into our PayPal (£12.99 + £2.80 postage); in the notes, please include reference “SoS” and your delivery address. Pre-order now for estimated delivery within 2 weeks. Get them while stocks last!
This book is Off The Chest’s inaugural anthology, which I co-curated. Two of my poems also feature in its pages. It’s something I’m dead proud of. We were lucky to work with renowned editors Jake Wild Hall of Bad Betty Press and Aaron Kent of Broken Sleep Books. The anthology was described as “breathtaking” by Amy Acre. Order now.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Film: The Way We Speak by Ian Ebright
A gripping, heart-wrenching film by an incredible filmmaker, who deservedly won best director at the wonderful Poppy Jasper Festival, which I attended back in April. Starring the brilliant Patrick Fabian, this film is a deft exploration of our obsession with competition and achievement, often at the expense of our loved ones.
Book: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Often hilarious, often poignant, this autobiography is an incredibly insightful and informative window into the South African apartheid, told through the keenly observed lens of Noah, who grew up during its reign and fall.