Current Length: 5min
I will definitely need:
-1 Handheld mic + stand
-Track will have been mixed into one
-Audio Track – this will be with you by Friday.
I might need:
-ambient mics
-20 chairs
I may be using:
-A loop pedal – I am looking into this at the moment.
Performance wise:
-I am hoping to work with Hannah Silva and my partner to create a bit more texture using Mouthy’s on stage to create a sense of togetherness and seperateness, maybe saying some of the refrains with/ over me, and laying them up using a loop pedal. This is only a maybe at the moment as it depends on time and resources really.
Lighting-wise:
-Beyond what I have stipulated below – I really trust you and Laura on this one, what is making it difficult at the moment is not being 100% clear on the way I am going to perform it but I think there definitely needs to be a sense of being on a train but also being in a Grime setting with that strobing, darkness, and togetherness at the same time as being apart.
Key:
EMOTIONAL CHANGES
TECH/STAGE DIRECTIONS
Human Farm
.
20 MOUTHY POETS SET UP ON STAGE IN RANGE OF AMBIENT MICS, THEIR SILLOHETTES BUT NOT THEIR FACES SHOULD BE LIT.
.
DEBRIS WALKS CENTRE STAGE TO WIRELESS MIC ON STAND CENTRE STAGE.
.
START TRACK.
.
TIRED, FRUSTRATED AND DISCONNECTED.
//
//
Commuters journey;
wrappers, papers, rats and goodbye naps.
Commuters journey;
Brompton bikes, fights, scenic cites.
.
Commuters journey;
ticket fines, keypads distract minds.
Commuters journeys;
wheelchairs navigate human freight.
.
BECOMING MORE ACTIVELY FRUSTRATED WITH THE SITUATION, SPACE BECOMING MORE PACKED AND LESS CONSIDERATE.
.
It’s only a reservation –
trying to feed them both from her seat –
no other space to squeeze their feet.
Have we made life so neat?
A reservation?
//
//
REVIEWING THE SITUATION IN HER HEAD – WINDING HERSELF UP IN AN ATTEMPT SHE CAN THINK OF A SOLUTION.
Lady sits with bags, baby just blinks
his eyes don’t collide either side, he just squints,
her hands hook pits, her hands look tough,
but skin splits // like her bags lookin’ rough.
Sittin’ here, two seats apart on the train,
Reddening she’s staring through her baby like rain.
.
And I’m sittin’ here thinking
human farm, human farm,
human farm. Sittin’ here.
Hey, we’re sittin’ here
yes sorry sitting here,
yes please sorry, sorry,
sorry sittin’ here
our seat yes we’re sittin’ here.
.
PISSED OFF
I wanna say –
She’s just sittin’ here, saying nuthin’, watch
Plenty other seats on the train, cotch!
.
FEELING STUPID AND HELPLESS
But – down the aisle wheelchairs (three) –
sticklers claiming seats
now elders with priority.
Awkward, I pretend I don’t see –
.
SLOWLY HOPE IMMERGES
She’s showing hurt: —
sweat-patches by the mile.
No one questions bags,
why she’s alone
lady over there
offers hands as a home.
(Hands as a home).
//
//
Commuters journey,
suited kindly other offers cover
commuters journey,
Tesco bags pram past stags,
commuters journey,
adjacent // stacks of fragile patience,
commuters journey,
Calm, baby offers palm.
.
HOPE LOST
Only a reservation
Finally, she was just about to eat.
Only a reservation,
before a clique of work colleagues meet,
Oh our a reservation?
Eyes with a touch more grief?
DISPAIR
.
Now I’m sitting here
thinking human farm,
human farm, human farm,
I’m just sittin here.
Hey, I’m sitting just here
Yes, sorry we’re sitting here,
yes us, sorry – sitting here.
Our seats, yes, we’re sitting here.
SHOCK/FRUSTRATION/HOPLESSNESS
//
//
//
//
START NEXT TRACK
Crying silent, tears are itchy, rolling down her shirt.
Strangers offering hands, but baby screeches, baby squirts.
Ladies champers-table, Marks & Spencer – what next?
No longer sittin’ here. Standin’ in aisle getting’ vexed.
.
ALMOST COMEDIC ANNOYANCE AT THE REDICULOUSNESS OF THESE WOMEN
Commuters journey;
bougie bitches don’t get deserts.
Commuters journey;
mums travel lonely carry slums.
Commuters journey;
bust, we need strangers’ we trust.
Commuters journey –
dust, no tracks without rust.
//
//
SMALL AMOUNT OF RELEIF FROM THE WOMAN GETTING OFF THE TRAIN
Only a reservation,
others assist with muggy buggy.
Only a reservation,
champers ladies ignore her like a druggie.
Finally at her station
and I wish I could say I’d done less harm,
.
REFLECTION/ REALISATION
whilst I was sitting here
thinking
human farm,
//
human farm,
//
human farm
human farm
human farm,
x3
human farm
human farm
.
DISAPOINTMENT
Thinking here –
I was just sittin’ here
sitting here thinking human farm.
sittin’ here
sitttin’ here
.
Thinking.
.
Was I doing
any less
harm?
.
FADE OUT TRACK.