‘A BIG PART OF WHAT MARTHA DOES IS INVITE THE AUDIENCE INTO HER WORLD'
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What happened when ex—country singer turned lesbian performance artist Tammy WhyNot emailed the late, great dance diva Martha Graham?
ois Weaver is a performer. director. and writer
with the Split Britches (‘ompany. and will
present ll'liut 'I‘ummv Needs to Know at (ilasgay! 2()()(). New York—based Richard Move created the Marl/1a (0 series (pictured) in 19%. a homage to 2()th century dance icon .VIartha (iraham. ‘I.a (iraham‘ hosts the evening. presenting witty monologues and satiric re-stagings of her ballets. Lois Weaver This will he my third (ilasgay experience. and l was around for the very first one. I'm excited about bringing 'l’ammy because she is an ex-country and western singer who has crossed over to work as a lesbian performance artist. She has been
travelling all over the world trying to educate herself
on this subject. Richard Move Ili Lois. I wonder why 'I‘ammy feels
she cannot fullil her ambitions within the context of
(‘&W music — I mean. look at I)olly I’arton! I've never been to (ilasgow. and I‘ve never been a part of a I.(iB'I’ festival. So I atn a virgin again!
LVII So. as a ‘virgin‘ to the I.(iB'I‘ festival world. how do you feel about it in 2006‘? I think they are still very
important because it links us and gives us a sense of
endurance. But they might not be as 'necessary' as they were back in the early I‘)8()s. when we were doing everything we could just to carve a little cultural representation otit of that old stone wall.
RM The I.(iB’l‘ world needs to be strong. and continue the work begun with Stonewall to which you make reference. 'I’hat sense of community can be a wonderful thing. I'm wondering who the audience will be in Glasgow? Performance aficionados of all
persuasions'.’ ()r a strictly gay audicncc'.’
LW It is a great city — one of my favourites. It makes me think of Chicago: a beautiful working city with a healthy attitude towards art. There is a focus on the work. as opposed to the prospects of celebrity and fame. I expect there to be a diverse audience —— gay men. lesbians. trans folks. as well as curious theatre lovers and live art loyalists. This prospect pleases 'l'ammy. She loves to mix things tip.
RM One thing that has delighted me about my
performances as Martha (iraham is the diversity of
the audience. I don‘t plan on adapting my production for (ilasgow. do you'.’ I already have a piece on the programme inspired by (iraham‘s prism/r's. her study of Mary. Queen of Scots.
LW I have adapted the persona of a stereotypical (‘&W singer into a not-so-stereotypical performance artist who is in love with being on the road. pursuing new experiences and accumulating knowledge. I hope you get to see Tammy. and she will certainly come to see you. She just I.()VI£S dancing and ‘needs to know‘ all about Martha.
RM ()h. of course I will see 'I'ammyl A big part of what Martha does is invite the audience into her world. A world of dance. music. art and drama. Also. a world of what it means to be an artist. to fulfil the creative impulse. to be a woman. to be human. and alive to the human condition.
Martha @ Tramway, Tramway, Glasgow, Fri 20—Sat 21 Oct. What Tammy Needs to Know, CCA, Glasgow, Thu 19-Sat 21 Oct.
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THIS FORTNIGHT'S HIGHLIGHTS
* Donald Does Dusty Bitersweet tribute to the life of actor, dancer, antiques dealer, property magnate and Dusty Springfield obsessive Donald Torr, who died of AIDS in 1992. by his sister Diane, a performer and drag king herself. CCA, Glasgow, Wed 25-Sat 28 Oct. >l= The Importance of Being Alfred Louise Welsh’s play deals with the early 20th century life of Lord Alfred Douglas. Once the lover of Oscar Wilde, ‘Bosie‘ becomes a proto-fascist and a homophobe, and is embroiled in an MP friend's libel trial. Arches, Glasgow, Tue 37 Oct—Sun 5 Nov.
=I= Loggerheads Sundance Festival award—winning movie divided into triptych: the stories of young drifter Mark. his adoptive mother Elizabeth, and his real mother Grace. A heartfelt, meditative exploration of love and family that lacks sensationalism and adheres to raw emotional naturalism. GFI', Glasgow, Mon 30 Oct.
>i= Martha 0 Tramway Humorous. moving homage to the grande dame of contemporary dance, Martha Graham. New York dance and performance master Richard Move recreates the imperious feline. delivering monologues and somewhat satirical re- stagings of her ballets. Tramway, Glasgow, Fri 20—Sat 27 Oct.
at: What Tammy Needs to Know Split Britches theatre company stalwart Lois Weaver presents Tammy WhyNot (pictured), a country and western singer turned lesbian performance artist. Where does Nashville twanging end and New York thesping begin? CCA, Glasgow, Thu 19-Sat27 Oct.
1‘.) Oct—2 Nov THE LIST 55