Humans of Shakespeare North Playhouse- David

Fri 20 Jan, 2023

Inspired by the original Humans of New York, Humans of Shakespeare North Playhouse aims to document as many of the wonderful people who walk through our building each day. Giving a glimpse into who they are and the story they have to share.

“Such as we are made of, such we be.” Twelfth Night, Act II, Scene II

 

“I came to Prescot because it has a registry office for Whiston hospital, which is where my mum died in December. When I came out I needed a coffee so I came into Shakespeare North. My background is in literature, I did a PHD in English Literature so I’m interested in the arts, but I had no real reason to come here. I came to the coffee shop and I just loved the music that was playing, it was a really great playlist, so I stayed here for a while, and then I spotted a leaflet for Itch. I’d always wanted to perform poetry because I’m a writer- I write mostly comic verse and I’ve been published twice so I have books out there.

I’ve also been a carer for the past 6 years for my mum. When she died in December, I knew that the funeral was coming up and I wanted to read the eulogy and I thought, well I’m going to be so nervous about that I probably won’t feel as nervous doing spoken word at Itch. So I gave myself a target to do this tonight and that’s why I’m here.

“I come from a very working class town and I know Charlie (Shakespeare North’s resident spoken word artist) was talking about coming from a background where you’re not encouraged to be artistic and that’s pretty much my life. I’m an illustrator, a writer, I’m a comedian and political columnist- so I do a lot of creative things, but I also live in a town where people look at me weird, so it’s nice to find a place which kind of chimed with my interests.

Having these sort of venues for people like me is important, for those who come from areas where we just get no culture or encouragement. It’s a really incredible space, which is why I’m here.”